Is World War III already happening? While it doesn’t resemble the Hollywood depictions of large-scale battles and nuclear devastation, a growing number of experts believe a new kind of global conflict is unfolding. This isn’t a war fought solely on traditional battlefields, but a stealthy, multi-pronged assault across multiple domains. National security expert Mark Toth and former U.S. intelligence officer Colonel Jonathan Sweet, in an interview with the Daily Mail, describe it as “war by a thousand cuts,” a multi-regional, multi-domain battle waged through subtle, yet devastating means.
The core of this argument centers around the concept of hybrid warfare. This modern strategy skillfully blends traditional military actions with insidious tactics like cyberattacks, sophisticated disinformation campaigns, and economic manipulation, as detailed by the Economic Times. Russia’s actions are frequently cited as a prime example. Their deployment of private military groups such as the Wagner Group, destabilizing campaigns in Africa, and the sophisticated use of troll farms and AI-driven disinformation represent a new level of warfare aimed at manipulating public opinion and eroding Western democracies. Toth and Sweet emphasize Russia’s mastery of this approach, stating, “Putin’s ability to conduct hybrid warfare is arguably his greatest strength,” citing covert operations, espionage, and even sabotage targeting Western logistics hubs.
While hybrid warfare dominates the global landscape, the conflict in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the continued intensity of kinetic warfare. The introduction of advanced weaponry, such as Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic missile, has escalated the violence significantly. Toth and Sweet see Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the opening salvo of this new world order. They claim, “Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was the opening stage [of World War III]. It was his marker to the global community that the world order…was no longer.” The escalating violence in Gaza, Lebanon, and the simmering tensions surrounding Taiwan further underscore this assessment, highlighting multiple potential flashpoints that could quickly ignite into full-blown conflict. U.S. officials are increasingly vocal about the risk of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan before the end of the decade, adding to the already precarious global situation.
Adding fuel to the fire, Ukraine’s former military Commander-in-Chief, Valery Zaluzhny, in a statement reported by Politico, declared that World War III has already begun. His assertion, made while he served as Ukraine’s envoy to the United Kingdom, was made in response to the involvement of North Korean soldiers and Iranian ‘Shahed’ drones in the conflict. Zaluzhny stated, “I believe that in 2024 we can absolutely believe that the Third World War has begun. Because in 2024, Ukraine is no longer facing Russia. Soldiers from North Korea are standing in front of Ukraine. Let’s be honest. Already in Ukraine, the Iranian ‘Shahedis’ are killing civilians absolutely openly, without any shame.”
Adding further weight to these concerns, top Pentagon officials have issued stark warnings about the very real possibility of war with either China or Russia, as reported by the Mirror. Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall, recently emphasized the need for a sense of urgency, stating, “We may have to fight.” This sentiment is reinforced by a recent Pentagon report revealing that China’s nuclear arsenal is rapidly expanding, projected to surpass 1,000 warheads by 2030, according to Reuters. This exponential growth in nuclear capabilities significantly elevates the global risk profile.
The recent escalation in the Middle East following the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel further complicates the situation. The resulting Israeli counter-offensive and Iran’s involvement have caused a catastrophic loss of life and escalated regional tensions. This complex situation underscores the interconnectedness of global events and highlights the potential for rapid escalation in multiple regions simultaneously.
The convergence of these factors – hybrid warfare, traditional military engagements, nuclear proliferation, and escalating regional conflicts – paints a disturbing picture of a world teetering on the brink. While the conflict may not resemble past wars, the potential consequences remain as devastating. The question isn’t if World War III is occurring, but rather how we will navigate this unprecedented global crisis.
