How the fuck is this WWIII?

[Lilith Velkor]

Doesn't a war have to involve the *rest of the world* (or at least a largish fraction thereof) to be considered a world war?

Help me understand. Please.

[arcane1]

1. in a word- ratings

[unpossibles]

2. well, it could conceivably become a multi-front war

with many nations involved. I doubt it will, but ... I suppose it could.

[Waya]

3. Give it time......

.....maybe it'll evolve. Damn, that's a scary thought.....

[meganmonkey]

4. World War II didn't involve "the rest of the world"

THere was plenty of the world uninvolved.

There is a huge region engaging in severe military conflict right now. Much of 'the rest of the world' is tangentially and/or directly involved in funding it, or trying to negotiate it, or come up with other ways to help solve it.

I think WWIII may be a proper term for it, unless it all suddenly subsides soon....

[derby378]

9. Here's a list of everyone who participated in WW2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies_of_World_War_II

[ProfessorGAC]

14. That's Quite A List

And, the war was definitely fought on three different continents. I think that qualifies as "world" war.
The Professor

[everythingsxen]

15. So does WWI not count as a "world war"?

In your opinion...

I'm just sayin', according to your criteria..... :evilgrin:

[Warpy]

18. It was also fought on more than one continent

as colonial governments fought opposition colonial governments.

[ProfessorGAC]

28. Huh?

It was fought on more than one continent, there were over 100 countries involved, (remember in those days, the balkans and baltics had not yet been conbined), and the impact extended FAR beyond those countries involved for many years during and after. So, i think it meets the criteria.

As bad as the American Civil War was, it was hardly a world war. Too many dead and maimed, but not a world war. Just two sets of states acting badly. I think that is closer to what we see today, so far.
The Professor

[meganmonkey]

17. For the record

I wasn't trying to imply that World War II wasn't a 'world war', rather I was trying to tell the OP that the current situation, if it continues the way it is, will likely become just as much a 'world war' as WWII was...

[everythingsxen]

19. I know, Iwas joking with you.

If I wasn't I would not have smiled. :)

[ProfessorGAC]

25. That's Speculative

That World War II was worldwide in scale is a FACT. The potential escalation of the current ME situation is a guess, no matter how educated or informed. And i don't think tangential involvement is quite what is implied by a "world" war. So, while i understand, i think we're splitting hairs.

The Professor

[meganmonkey]

31. I wrote a quick, off-hand reply

and I should have been clearer - my bottom line is that a War becomes a World War when TPTB declare it so. And in the back of my mind was the thought that much of the southern hemisphere gets forgotten when westerners refer to 'the world'. So that was where I was really coming from.

Quite frankly, I will speculate that unless something happens pretty soon to diffuse the current violence, much more of the world will likely get involved. Looking at how so much of the EU is sharply split from the US when it comes to our middle east policy these days, and we are thwarting any ideas by the UN to try to calm things down, it is a genuine fear, IMO that this could turn into something pretty f*cking huge. But, of course that is speculation.

I wouldn't call this WWIII yet though. Defintely not.

[ProfessorGAC]

34. We Agree, Then

I think the issue here is a little less volatile than most here do. Here's why:

The power world cannot allow "pipsqueak" countries to create a worldwide economic catastrophe. The resources there are too important. There will be no Russia/China taking sides against the US/EU. The big boys will simply band together and slap down the mosquitoes. It will called a UN intervention, but it will really be the G8 military plus China stomping out the pests.
The Professor

[meganmonkey]

36. Assuming you are being facetious when you use the word 'pests'

then yes, we are pretty close to agreement. :)

[Lilith Velkor]

16. How long has it been on?

Why are some acting like it just started?

[meganmonkey]

21. That's a question I can't answer

as it has been existing at various levels of intensity for a long time. Although I do wonder if the last few weeks are bringing it to a new level...and as I see the EU and the US reacting in very different ways, it does concern me a lot.

But I recognize that this didn't suddenly pop up out of nowhere, maybe some just don't know history - not that I am any kind of expert. I think for some people this is the closest attention they have ever paid to the middle east and they may not know about the dynamic there in the last half-century (let alone further back...)

[everythingsxen]

22. I would say that...

realistically it started in the 80s or possibly even as an extension of the Cold War. As for when historians who dig through the ashes and write the books will say either that it started on 9/11 or WWI - WWIII were all just "The time of war"....

[Lilith Velkor]

23. Oh yeah, that's right.

Most people don't pay attention. That's why they got bamboozled and stampeded into the Iraq debacle.

I feel kinda dumb now. :blush:

[cannabis_flower]

27. In World War II ....

Germany, Japan and Italy were the major powers behind the Axis powers and they controlled much of Europe, Northwest North Africa and Ethiopia.

Major Allied powers were France, Great Britain and Poland, the Soviet Union, the United States, China and many other countries throughout the war.

That sounds like a world war. Israel and maybe the United States against Lebanon and maybe Syria and Iran doesn't really sound like a world war to me, at least not yet.

[meganmonkey]

33. Not yet

definitely not yet. But the US is absolutely invoved, not 'maybe', as is Iraq and Afghanistan because despite the media characterizations this is all related.

My biggest fear of escalation to world war status is because the US is taking a fully different position than is most of the world (ie the EU, the UN and all they represent).

But no, I wouldn't call this a world war yet. I believe such a designation is subjective, but can become part of the national psyche the way the 'war on terror' has, if the media continues to use it...

[bdamomma]

5. this is massacre, or ethnic cleansing being implemented

by our own government.

[movonne]

When you think it can't get any worse, it gets worse...I hate what we

are doing, it breaks my heart...stem cell, this terrible Israel, Lebanon invasion..

[movonne]

12. When you think it can't get any worse, it gets worse...I hate what we

are doing, it breaks my heart...stem cell, this terrible Israel, Lebanon invasion..

[malaise]

6. There has never been a world war

but Europe and the US actually believe they are the world.

[cali]

10. Japan ring a bell with you? n/t

[malaise]

26. Yes so what?

Explain how the protagonists and participants of WW2 made up the world.

[Raskolnik]

37. It would seem logical that a conflict

involving virtually every significant world power, stretching over the majority of the planet, and resulting in the fundamental realignment of the world's power structure would qualify as a "world war", don't you?

[malaise]

38. That logic assumes that the rest of

humanity merely fits into the equation of imperial powers. I don't share that logic.

[Raskolnik]

42. Huh?

I have no idea what that means. Could you please elaborate?

[Pathwalker]

7. Turkey's talking about invading Iraq, Ethiopia's talking

about invading Somalia...give it TIME. We'll get there.

[Canuckistanian]

8. Who - besides this government, is going to fight on Israel's side??

Name ONE other major ally that Israel has.

To me, it looks like the US and Israel against the Islamic world, while the rest of the planet looks on disgusted.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Yeah. It Would Seem, . . .

. . .that in a World War, the countries not involved or neutral would be the exception, not the rule.
The Professor

[Lilith Velkor]

20. Yet they seem to be the rule

Did I miss something?

[ProfessorGAC]

29. Good Point!

More "spin" i suppose.
The Professor

[everythingsxen]

13. Uh well...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War

Now if you look at those maps, it looks like the whole world is "involved"; but realistically it was only a few major countries with a bunch of entangling alliances.

What is going on now could blossom into WWIII, if Syria and Iran enter and if the US enters backing Israel. Some of Russia's grumblings lately suggest that they may enter, at which point China would be involved, one way or another. India and Pakistan are on the verge of war. Ethiopia is about to invade Somalia. Turkey is about to invade Iraq.

The world is about to be painted red with blood.

[bridgit]

24. i think that's right, i think there's another couple random regions...

that will be pulled in; but the only thing that seems to be missing is that 'round the table/wink & nod' that it is actually here...but ya'know what...the bush admin has already lost with their ill timed thirst for globalized, oligarchic world war profits; they've shot their wad and they are out of both money & ideas

[VOX]

30. Because Newt Gingrich wants it to be. WWIII sounds so **good**...

When the GOP's collective back is to the wall, Dumbya's poll numbers are in the toilet, and the right wing may be fighting for its political life in November.

"WWIII" is strictly a right-wing talking point, nothing else. :grr:

[sam sarrha]

32. here is how DubyaDubya3 happens China takes Iran's side..

we take Israels side..Russia will wait and get everything that is left that isn't radioactive.. and when the super powers are all fighting and civilization dissolves every little country will invade their weakest neighbor.. everyone will join the feeding frenzy.. get something for nothing from people you are told to hate..

after the initial clash.. and smoke clears on a civilization-less Mad Max land. it will return to the Muslim world and the Infidels fighting for religious sites and grabbing power and land..and cutting off heads, just like the good ole days..

[megatherium]

35. Just hang on for a little while -- it will involve everybody. nt

[Rex]

39. It is not WWIII, the M$M is falling all over itself in TRYING to make

people believe this is the start of WWIII and people, let me be the first to say when this DOES turn into WWIII and the people responsible for calling it that (the M$M) get tried for treason and starting a global war! They are all guilty of warmongering. They are trying to start WWIII people!

Will no one stop the M$M?

[ladjf]

40. This is not a war. It's just a destructive rampage by a military

that has zero opposition. (The rockets into N. Israel do not constitute opposition.)

Now, if Lebanon had 500 jet fighters with well trained pilots and unlimited funds (such as the U.S.) backing them and they were shooting down as many Israeli jets and the other way around, that would be WAR.

My belief is that Israel is sealing their fate by this recent unwarranted attack. I'm not saying that because I personally want that but, because this most recent campaign has imprinted in the minds one unified thought and that is to pay Israel back for what they have done.

Technologies are changing to the extent that future conflicts will not be decided with counts of tanks, soldiers, airplanes and munitions. Nor will they be decided by isolated terror attacks on handfuls of people.

[everythingsxen]

43. I see..

So rocket attacks against Israel don't count. Israel should just be grateful to be attacked night after night.

Thousands of armed guerrillas, hiding in civilian populations committing terror attacks on Israel is ok too right?

[ladjf]

45. Read my post. I didn't say or imply any of that. My point was

clear.

Write you own post but don't write mine.

[pointblank]

41. One who looks for logic in anything that

Faux "news" says, is one who will tear his hair out in frustration - confucious

[Raine]

44. The Prelude to WWIII

possibly. Years from now when the Earth is on the verge of going up in a nuclear cloud people may say it all began here and now at this point in time. :-(

[Lilith Velkor]

46. They would be wrong

It started way earlier, but I suppose people don't want to admit they haven't been paying attention to the ME, or the role the US plays therein.

[lonestarnot]

47. just more bushit.

If you're looking at what I've been seeing, they all have on those red shirts.