How close is the world to a third world war?
Mar 24th 2026 · United States
Interconnected fighting from Ukraine to the Gulf and shifts in US policy have raised fears of a global war, yet experts say a world war threshold has not yet been reached.
- Conflicts are linked across Europe, the Middle East and in diplomatic, cyber and shadow-war domains.
- President Trump announced a five-day pause in planned US strikes on Iranian energy sites after talks he called productive, while Iran denies his account.
- Analysts say the erosion of Pax Americana and US unpredictability have accelerated global realignment and instability.
- A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would likely trigger a wider global war, but experts judge that is unlikely in the near term.
- European states and the UK face pressure to rebuild military capacity and deepen regional cooperation for a prolonged multidimensional conflict.