[SpyManiac007]

With all of these ongoing issues between the United States (and rest of the world) and North Korea and Iran, am I the only individual who feels very strongly we will see a breakout of a nuclear war, presumably World War III, in the near future?

007

[Kerrigan]

Frankly right now I don't think the tension is there for a world war. China, US, and Russia get along for the most part, China especially enjoys the benefits of US trade and vice versa.

I think in order to avoid Sino-US tensions from rising, the two countries should us NK as an opportunity to cooperate. Specifically, US should approach China with some tactics to bring down the NK regime, in exchange for some sort of deal on Taiwan. In theory that is making a deal with the devil, but in practice it might make US and China view each other as serious allies.

[RAILhead]

Yes. Yes, you are the only person that thinks that.

[King Bob On The Cob]

All out nuclear war requires two things. Nuclear capabilities and an effective delivery system. The countries that possess both of those seem to be getting along rather well right now (except for the Pakistan/India thing, but they seem to have cooled down for the time being). There is only two countries I could see using nukes right now, that would be North Korea (KJI is a mentally disturbed individual) and Israel (They don't say they have them, but I'd put 50:1 odds that they really do in Vegas right now). North Korea should realize that by nuking someone, they would just end up with a country full of green fields, glowing green, that is.

[Kerrigan]

What is worrying is that if Korea nukes Japan (or US, like Hawaii) then the US will, according to the rules of engagement, nuke NK. NK is an ally of China and so it could become a full out war between China and America.

The odds of this happening are slim though.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Frankly right now I don't think the tension is there for a world war. China, US, and Russia get along for the most part, China especially enjoys the benefits of US trade and vice versa.

I think in order to avoid Sino-US tensions from rising, the two countries should us NK as an opportunity to cooperate. Specifically, US should approach China with some tactics to bring down the NK regime, in exchange for some sort of deal on Taiwan. In theory that is making a deal with the devil, but in practice it might make US and China view each other as serious allies.

Completely agree, though I wouldn't worry about deals with the devil; the US (and every other Western nation) has already made many deals with the devil/China simply through that mutually beneficial trade you mentioned.

Also, to the OP, "nuclear war" is not necessarily "world war". I see a possibility for nuclear war between the US and NK, and while this would have world wide environmental impacts, I seriously doubt it would become a world war (there aren't many nations that would side with NK).

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by King Bob On The Cob

There is only two countries I could see using nukes right now, that would be North Korea (KJI is a mentally disturbed individual) and Israel (They don't say they have them, but I'd put 50:1 odds that they really do in Vegas right now).

You think Israel is hiding it's nukes in Vegas?

[King Bob On The Cob]

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak

You think Israel is hiding it's nukes in Vegas?

That would explain the damn temple.

[hey!_Zeus]

Originally Posted by SpyManiac007

With all of these ongoing issues between the United States (and rest of the world) and North Korea and Iran, am I the only individual who feels very strongly we will see a breakout of a nuclear war, presumably World War III, in the near future?

007

Not even close.

Now if you were around during the 'Cuban Crisis' that was one second to twelve.

Our city had air raid drills.

[smacintush]

We've been under the "threat" of nucular™ war since the invention of the bomb.

[UNTeMac]

The events that led up to World War II are nothing like what are happening now. The larger concern is internal strife by radicals in western countries and even that is not something that would threaten an end to current governments the way WWII did. As for North Korea, no one would ally themselves with them if they preemptively attack Japan or (haha) the U.S. Kim Jong is pretty delusional but he seems to have his self-preservation instincts intact.

If they do though, expect a draft here in the U.S. if we don't get enough help from the rest of the world. No world war, but it would still be bad.

[PB2K]

don't worry lad, you will be economically bankrupt and victim of a pandemic disease before WW3 starts

[vmarks]

Actually, keep track:

WWIII was the cold war. Ended without firing much of any shots.

WWIV is what we may well be witnessing the start of.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/08072006/32...st-regime.html

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called on Islamic countries to mobilise against Israel and "remove" the "Zionist regime".
"The basic problem in the Islamic world is the existence of the Zionist regime, and the Islamic world and the region must mobilise to remove this problem," the president said in a speech to regional officials.

He was speaking at the opening of a two-day conference in Tehran on security in Iraq.

"Today there is a strong will... to remove the Zionist regime and implement a legal Palestinian regime all over Palestine. The continued survival of this regime (Israel) means nothing but suffering for the region," Ahmadinejad said.

"The biggest threat today for the region is the existence of the fake Zionist regime," he added, before going on to attack Israel's supporters.

"I am reminding them to stop the crimes of this corrupt government before it is too late, and open the way for a government arising from the votes of the indigenous people of Palestine, all over Palestine," the president said.

He also issued an ominous warning to Western powers.

"Nations in the region will be more furious every day, and it will not be long before this intense fury will lead to a huge explosion," Ahmadinejad said.

"The waves of fury of Muslim nations will not be confined within the boundaries of the region, and the people who close their ears to the cries of the Palestinians and blindly support this regime will be responsible for the consequences," he warned.

So, he threatens the nations of the world.

Who was present at the 'security conference' where he said this?

Arab officials from Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria were gathered in Tehran Saturday for a two-day conference on security in Iraq.

IF these countries act on Ahmadinejad's words, and do attack western nations, what would prevent that from being World War IV?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by PB2K

don't worry lad, you will be economically bankrupt and victim of a pandemic disease before WW3 starts

Agree

[Kerrigan]

It's WWIII, and U.S. is out of ideas.

[davesimondotcom]

Greetings Professor Falken.

Shall we play a game?