World War III, often shortened to WWIII or WW3, refers to a hypothetical global conflict following World War I and II. The term, used since 1941, can be broadly applied to conflicts like the Cold War or the war on terror, but some believe it signifies a conflict exceeding previous world wars in scale and devastation.
1914: Start of World War I
World War I, which began in 1914, initially fueled the belief that its scale and devastation would prevent future global conflicts.
1918: End of World War I
The end of World War I in 1918 led to a widespread belief that humanity had moved beyond the need for large-scale global wars, a belief that was tragically disproven by the outbreak of World War II.
1939: Outbreak of World War II
The outbreak of World War II in 1939 shattered the hope that World War I had been "the war to end all wars", proving that global conflicts of immense scale were still possible.
November 1941: Time Magazine's Early Use of "World War III"
Time magazine first used the term "World War III" in November 1941, even before the official US entry into World War II, highlighting growing concerns about a wider conflict.
December 1941: Pearl Harbor Attack
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 marked the United States' entry into World War II, against the backdrop of existing discussions about the possibility of "World War III".
1941: First Use of "World War III"
The term "World War III" emerged as early as 1941, appearing in Time magazine amidst rising global tensions, even before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
March 1943: Wallace's "Seeds of World War III" Speech
In March 1943, US Vice President Henry A. Wallace sparked controversy by suggesting that decisions made that year could potentially sow the "seeds of World War III", highlighting early Cold War anxieties.
1944: Continued Use of "World War III"
The term "World War III" continued to appear in publications and discussions throughout 1944, reflecting ongoing anxieties about the potential for future conflicts, even as World War II raged on.
May 1945: Operation Unthinkable
In May 1945, as World War II concluded, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, concerned about Soviet expansionism, commissioned Operation Unthinkable, a plan for a potential conflict against the Soviet Union.
1945: "World War III" in the Shadow of World War II's End
The use of the term "World War III" persisted in 1945, even as World War II concluded, indicating growing concerns about the future and the possibility of new conflicts arising from the war's aftermath.
1946: "World War III" and the Threat of Bacterial Warfare
Discussions about "World War III" in 1946 often included concerns about the potential use of bacterial warfare, reflecting anxieties about new and devastating forms of conflict emerging in the postwar world.
1947: Start of the Cold War
The Cold War, which began in 1947, heightened the risk of a catastrophic conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union.
1947: Beginning of the Cold War
The start of the Cold War in 1947, along with the proliferation of nuclear weapons, significantly heightened the possibility of a third global conflict.
1947: Cold War Tensions Fuel "World War III" Discourse
The escalation of Cold War tensions in 1947 further fueled the use and discussion of "World War III", as the possibility of a conflict between the US and the Soviet Union became increasingly real.
1948: Ireland's Operation Sandstone Begins
In 1948, Ireland, in collaboration with the UK, initiated Operation Sandstone, a secret military operation to prepare for a potential World War III scenario, reflecting the global reach of Cold War anxieties.
1948: "World War III" Concerns Persist Amidst Growing East-West Divide
Concerns about "World War III" remained prevalent in 1948, as the Cold War intensified and the division between the East and West solidified, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty.
1949: Exercise Verity
Exercise Verity, a multilateral military exercise conducted in 1949, demonstrated the Western powers' increasing focus on coordinating military activities and preparing for potential conflicts during the early Cold War.
1949: Einstein's Warning on World War III
In 1949, following the use of atomic bombs in World War II, renowned physicist Albert Einstein expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of a hypothetical World War III. He suggested that such a war would be so destructive that it could potentially revert humanity to the Stone Age. When asked about the weapons that might be used in this future war, Einstein famously remarked, "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
December 1950: Fear of World War III
In December 1950, amidst the early years of the Cold War, a Gallup poll revealed that over half of Americans believed World War III had already begun. This poll illustrates the pervasive fear and anticipation of another global conflict during that era.
1951: Korean War and Fears of World War III
In 1951, during the Korean War, CBS News correspondent Bill Downs expressed a widely held belief that the conflict could escalate into World War III, involving the US, USSR, and China.
1952: Exercise Mainbrace
Exercise Mainbrace, NATO's first major exercise, took place in 1952, showcasing the alliance's growing military capabilities and readiness to counter potential Soviet aggression.
1952: Exercises Grand Slam and Longstep
The naval exercises Grand Slam and Longstep, conducted in 1952, highlighted NATO's emphasis on joint military operations and demonstrated the ability of different nations to work together effectively.
1953: Korean War and Attack on Sui-ho Dam
The downing of the Russian aircraft in 2015 drew parallels to the 1953 attack on the Sui-ho Dam during the Korean War. This incident, where a Russian or Soviet aircraft was destroyed by a NATO member, highlighted the historical tensions between these powers.
1953: British-Irish Cooperation on Refugee Evacuation
By 1953, amidst Cold War anxieties, the UK and Ireland agreed to cooperate on sharing weather information and planning for the evacuation of civilian refugees to Ireland in the event of a major conflict.
1955: Ireland's Operation Sandstone Concludes
In 1955, after seven years of preparation, Ireland's Operation Sandstone, a joint effort with the UK to address Cold War threats, came to an end, marking a significant period in Ireland's Cold War history.
1961: Berlin Crisis of 1961
The 1961 Berlin Crisis, a tense standoff between the US and Soviet Union at Checkpoint Charlie, brought both superpowers' tanks and troops into close proximity. This event, fueled by disputes over Berlin's status, eventually led to the construction of the Berlin Wall, physically dividing the city.
1962: Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the Cold War, bringing the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war.
1966: Ireland's Operation Sandstone Officially Ends
The formal conclusion of Ireland's Operation Sandstone in 1966 signaled the end of a specific chapter in Irish Cold War planning and preparation.
1968: USS Pueblo Incident
Downs reiterated his concerns about a potential World War III during the 1968 USS Pueblo incident, highlighting the ongoing tensions and risks of escalation.
March 1969: Sino-Soviet Border Conflict
In March 1969, tensions between the Soviet Union and China escalated into a seven-month undeclared border war, bringing the two communist giants close to a full-scale war. This conflict, driven by ideological and territorial disputes, highlighted the fragility of their alliance.
1969: Soviet Military Buildup
In 1969, the Soviet Union reinforced its military presence along the Sino-Soviet border and within the Mongolian People's Republic, following the border clashes with China.
1969: Beginning of Sino-Soviet Border Talks
In 1969, following border clashes, China and the USSR began talks to resolve their disputes. These talks continued for a decade without reaching a conclusion. This event also marked a period of increased militarization within China, fueled by the perceived threat from the Soviet Union.
1979: Seven Days to the River Rhine
In 1979, the Warsaw Pact developed "Seven Days to the River Rhine," a top-secret military simulation exercise. This plan hypothesized a NATO nuclear first strike on Poland, prompting a Soviet counter-strike on Western Europe. The plan aimed to reach the Rhine River within seven days, potentially decimating Poland and Germany due to nuclear exchanges and radiation exposure.
March 1983: Strategic Defense Initiative
Proposed in March 1983 by US President Ronald Reagan, the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) aimed to neutralize incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles using ground and space-based systems. This marked a shift from the previous strategy of mutually assured destruction.
November 1983: Able Archer 83
The "Able Archer 83" exercise, a five-day NATO command post exercise simulating nuclear conflict escalation, took place in November 1983.
1983: False Warning Incident Highlights Risk of Accidental Nuclear War
A serious incident occurred in 1983, highlighting the constant danger of an accidental nuclear war. A false warning nearly led to a retaliatory launch, underlining the potentially devastating consequences of miscalculation or technical errors.
1983: 1983 War Scare
The realistic nature of "Able Archer 83," deteriorating US-Soviet relations, and the deployment of Pershing II missiles heightened tensions in 1983. The Soviet Union perceived the exercise as a potential cover for a real nuclear attack, putting its nuclear forces on high alert. This event, known as the "1983 war scare," is considered by many historians as the closest the world came to nuclear war since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
1984: Strategic Defense Initiative Organization
The Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) was established in 1984 within the US Department of Defense to manage the Strategic Defense Initiative.
1984: Canada Ends Nuclear Weapons Hosting
Canada ceased hosting US nuclear weapons in 1984.
1991: End of the Cold War
The Cold War era officially ended in 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, even after this period, several incidents have been identified as potential triggers for another global conflict.
1991: End of the Cold War
The year 1991 marked the end of the Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. This period, while marked by military standoffs and the threat of nuclear war, is not universally considered World War III by historians. Many believe a true World War III would involve direct, large-scale fighting between global powers.
1992: United Kingdom's Nuclear Weapons Deployment
The United Kingdom, despite being a nuclear-armed state, received US tactical nuclear weapons until 1992, primarily deployed in Germany.
1994: US-Russia Detargeting Agreement: Largely Symbolic
In 1994, the United States and Russia signed a detargeting agreement, but it was largely symbolic. It didn't significantly alter the time needed to launch a nuclear attack, raising questions about its effectiveness.
June 1999: Pristina Airport Incident
On June 1999, right after the Kosovo War, Russian peacekeepers secured the Pristina International Airport before NATO arrived. This action led to a tense standoff, with NATO General Wesley Clark wanting to use force against the Russians. However, British General Mike Jackson refused to comply, famously stating, "I'm not going to start the Third World War for you." This event highlights the high tensions that existed between NATO and Russia even after the Cold War.
2001: Greece Ends Nuclear Weapons Hosting
Greece stopped hosting US nuclear weapons in 2001.
2004: Norman Podhoretz and the Cold War as World War III
In 2004, commentator Norman Podhoretz put forth the idea that the Cold War, spanning from the end of World War II to the fall of the Berlin Wall, could be considered World War III. Podhoretz argued that the global fight against "Islamofascism" could then be considered World War IV. This perspective reflects the ongoing debate about defining and categorizing global conflicts.
2005: US Nuclear Weapons in Europe
As of 2005, 180 of the estimated 480 US nuclear weapons in Europe were part of the nuclear sharing agreement, stored in secure facilities and ready for delivery by F-16s and Panavia Tornados.
2011: Syrian Civil War Begins
The outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, marked by international involvement and instability, has been perceived as a potential flashpoint for a wider global conflict.
February 2015: Iraqi Foreign Minister Declares War on ISIS as "World War III"
In February 2015, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, declared the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to be effectively "World War III." He cited ISIL's ambition for a global caliphate and its success in expanding the conflict beyond the Levant region as justification for this label.
November 2015: Downing of a Russian Su-24
In November 2015, Turkish forces shot down a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian-Turkish border. Turkey stated the Russian aircraft had entered its airspace, a claim denied by Russia. This event, occurring during the Syrian Civil War, marked the first time a NATO member had shot down a Russian military aircraft since the Korean War in 1953, raising fears of a larger conflict.
November 2015: King Abdullah II's Statement on the War Against Terrorism
In the wake of the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, King Abdullah II of Jordan stated that the world was facing a "Third World War" within Islam. This statement reflects the global nature of the fight against terrorism and its potential to be framed as a major world conflict.
2015: Time Magazine's Continued Use of "World War III"
Time magazine's use of the term "World War III" in a 2015 book review, even decades after the Cold War, illustrates the term's lasting presence in discussions about potential global conflicts.
January 2016: President Obama's Address on ISIL
In his State of the Union address delivered in January 2016, US President Barack Obama cautioned against exaggerating the threat of ISIL by labeling it as a cause for World War III. While acknowledging the serious danger posed by ISIL to civilians, Obama argued that such claims played into the terrorist group's narrative and that they did not threaten the nation's existence.
2018: RAND Report Highlights AI's Impact on Nuclear Security
In 2018, a RAND Corporation report emphasized the significant influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on nuclear security in the following 25 years, raising concerns about new challenges and potential risks related to AI's role in nuclear weapon systems.
2020: Doomsday Clock Moves Closer to Midnight
Citing several factors, including anticipated destabilization from new hypersonic weapons, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moved its Doomsday Clock closer to midnight in 2020, symbolizing a heightened risk of global catastrophe.
February 2022: Russian Invasion of Ukraine
In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a significant escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014. This invasion, the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II, drew international condemnation and resulted in numerous sanctions against Russia. Notably, Russia was banned from SWIFT, and many Western nations closed their airspace to Russian planes.
August 2022: Study Predicts Devastating Global Famine from Nuclear War
In August 2022, a study in Nature Food projected a horrifying aftermath of a full-scale nuclear conflict between the United States and Russia. The research suggested over five billion deaths from starvation due to a nuclear winter triggered by the release of massive amounts of soot. Even a smaller-scale nuclear war, like one between India and Pakistan, could lead to over two billion deaths from famine.
2022: Cyber Warfare in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Raises Concerns of "Hybrid" Warfare
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine saw a significant cyberwarfare component, raising alarms about its potential to escalate conflicts into large-scale "hybrid" warfare. Russia's cyberattacks targeted critical Ukrainian infrastructure, highlighting the real-world impacts and dangers of cyberwarfare.
2022: Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, coupled with existing tensions between major powers, significantly escalated global anxieties about a potential third world war.
2023: Suspension of New START and Nuclear Threats
In early 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the suspension of Russia's participation in the New START treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between Russia and the United States. Putin also revealed plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, further escalating tensions and raising concerns about the potential for nuclear conflict.
2023: Doomsday Clock Remains Close to Midnight
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists maintained its Doomsday Clock's concerning position in 2023, underscoring the ongoing and severe threats to humanity's existence.