I agree that these cases don't fit in with our classic definition of 'war.' However the chances of seeing an actual encounter like that are pretty slim. Because of technology and media, most sides already have a reasonable estimate of the others power, and so noone really wants to commit forces into difficult battles.RandV80 said:I don't mean to imply it directly towards you but I find this kind of thinking a little naive. To equate the small scale fighting around the world to almost suggest we're in a globe of violence and a world at war... problem is this sort of fighting has always been going on throughout history. While it's not perfect and the 90's were better, post cold war has probably been the most peaceful era in human civilization history, or at the very least it is per capita. It's pretty much been all guerrilla warfare, either advanced armies fighting under-equipped insurgents or militia's wiping out unwanted residents. Real wars where two trained professional armies go at it with both expecting to win just doesn't really happen anymore.Sougo said:Isn't a large part of the world already at war?
America and Allies busy running troops and drones up and down some third world counties.
UN bombing Libya.
Several Arab countries facing massive uprisings.
The 2 Koreas enjoying some skirmishes and threats.
Sudan getting ready to divide itself and start a war between North and South.
Somalia, facing massive internal turmoil and sending more ppl fleeing to the seas for piracy.
Israel and Palestine - the never-ending war.
The inevitable strike of Israel/America on Iran still looming ahead.
Several other egs. Heck, even the Canadians had a riot.
It may not be a World War, but it is a World at war.
Since the demonstration of the power of nuclear weapons, it is highly unlikely that any 2 superpowers are going to engage in an actual war, and the presence of the UN will probably see to that any 'stepping out of line' by weaker countries will stamp out the cause of disturbances (e.g. Libya these days).
As for WW3, I think its pretty safe to assume that thats not happening until at least one of the more significant minerals gets depleted. Although I don't think wars will be fought for oil, they might take place for water. Again fairly well into the future ... perhaps not in our lifetimes.