The Ukraine war and the Gaza war are the wars that have the potential to lead to the third world war, if they are not resolved. These two wars have led to many deaths from both parties. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, more than 200000 have been killed in the Ukraine war that has been going on for around three years — since the Russian invasion in 2022 — while more than 50000 have been killed in the Gaza war, which has been going on since the Operation al-Aqsa Flood of Hamas against Israel. But these two wars have not yet been resolved, leading to concerns.
But it remains unclear how much possibility there is these two major wars will lead to the third world war. Notably, the situation of the Ukraine war has by this time remarkably changed because of peace steps and other reasons. The peace steps of the United States that aim to end the Ukraine war have played a vital role. Saudi peace talks between the United States and Russia are promising and may help end the Ukraine war, though there are disagreements on the potential terms and conditions of the peace resolution among the parties involved. There is also increasing emphasis on the resolution of the Gaza war, which has seen two ceasefires so far, even if Israel has carried out renewed strikes in Gaza amidst the Gaza ceasefire deal.
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Though these wars have not yet led to the third world war and its chance has reduced, it is not unlikely altogether. There are geopolitical, geoeconomic and other reasons including geopolitical rivalries and territorial issues, that not only made these wars potential for the third world war earlier but also can increase its chance in the future. Pertinently saying, the Ukraine war is the major war — and the largest one in Europe after the Second World War — between Russia and the west in terms of military might and global positions, for which the parties have been fighting for decades, though the latter had not sent military forces to directly fight Russian forces. If the Ukraine war remains unresolved, its chance will remain.
The Gaza war, though it has thus far been less responded by the Arab countries against Israel, may also lead to a larger regional war with a potential for the third world war, depending on the extent and the parties of the war. Various reasons including the renewed strikes of Israel in Gaza and its continuation can will increase the chance. While only Iran and its supported parties including the Houthi have so far become directly or indirectly involved in the war favoring Gaza against Israel, renewed Israeli strikes in Gaza can cause anger among different Arab countries, unite them and draw them to the war, if such strikes continue for a long without meaningful peace resolution.
Photo credit: https://theconversation.com/.
Compared to the two wars, the Ukraine war had probably more potential for the third world war because of several reasons including the direct and indirect involvement of the powerful countries including the superpowers and the potential of the Ukraine war to make notable changes in global geopolitics — along with the above reasons. But under the changed context, the Gaza war has probably more potential for it now. Among various causes, attacking Iran’s nuclear sites can merely further increase the chance of a regional war and the third world war by drawing Iran and possibly other parties including Russia into the war.
But, under such possibilities, peace steps are vital and desired and can reduce the chance of further deterioration of the situation and the third world war. While peace steps need to be continued to end the Ukraine war, the parties involved need to be brought to the ceasefire and discussion tables for negotiations to end the Gaza war. But the reasoned concerns of the parties of these wars need to be addressed for an acceptable resolution and a lasting peace. Otherwise, the chance of the third world war will remain.
