To think that global warfare is going to happen any minute now?

[franceslucia]

And that Western countries are not doing enough to promote peace between nations. It could take any of the international tensions to spark global warfare. Russia, China and its neighbours, Israel. Palestine and the Middle East.

The thing is, the US used to interfere, all the time, and the unintended consequences are what we have today in the Middle East. Europe used to interfere, and it has led to tribalism and wars throughout Africa. How on earth can the West promote peace? What should we be doing? Interfering or leaving them to it?

Few months back a bunch of commentators in papers were acting like we would all be dragged into WW3. It was excessive.

I think there is a lot of behind the scenes diplomatic effort to calm things in the middle east, it’s in no-ones interest to have a full blown regional war.

Russia is probably killing a generation of young men for an old mans ego at a time when they are already in demographic decline. They have to keep putting up the conscription age, If Putin tried to use actual nuclear warheads I think someone on his own team would get to him let alone the americans (I’m actually more sure a Russian would be the one to finish him off rather than the americans at this point).

China likes to intimidate it’s neighbours but attacking Taiwan would be a mistake, they make something like 90% of the worlds microchips, they are more important than Ukraine to the americans.

It”s easy to feel the world is going to hell in a handcart but in terms chance of actual global warfare we probably won’t see it. Everything else is a bit shit though.

What do you expect Western countries to do?

No and no.

It's generally agreed that the global security situation is now at a more dangerous place than it has been for decades. There is an alliance growing between countries who have little in common other than being both authoritarian and anti-West. There was a (naive and rather patronising) sense at the end of the last millennium that greater financial and trade ties with countries such as Russia and China would have an improving influence on those countries but what has actually happened is the influence flowed the other way and those ties have had a corrupting influence on our own financial, trade, legal and political sectors. The problem isn't that the West hasn't been promoting global peace, the problem is that the West has shown that it has very little appetite for war and, consequently, some very nasty leaders are getting away with murder.

Why do western nations need to fix the world? Shouldn't other countries actually use the collective brains they have?

Nope. I am old enough to remember the Cold War when people were in a constant state of alarm about the prospect of a Soviet nuclear strike. It’s been like this to a greater or lesser degree since the 60s. There’s always instability and risks of war breaking out but no way is it worse now.

@lemonpepperlady

We are an incredibly fortunate, pampared and spoiled nation compared with MOST of the rest of the world. Doesn't mean it'll always be that way.

Hmmmm

Less so now than ten years ago. Our GDP has dropped significantly compared to a lot of countries.

We are still a relatively secure and affluent country on a world scale but our wealth and stability has declined dramatically in my lifetime.

Well, I'm not building an Anderson shelter in my garden just yet, or a faraday cage over my bed anytime soon!
But I'm definitely happier and less anxious not knowing what's going on in the news; Ignorant....probably, happier....certainly!

I also don't watch the news anywhere. It creates a catastrophic mindset. The world has always been volatile with a veneer of stability.

Agree with your last statement.

If I am to be nuked, a cuppa and short bread sounds a divine way to go.

Same- not the time for global war in this house as I’ve just started a roast dinner and really looking forward to it!

I'm jealous!

The Middle East has had wars since the year dot. Before it. Notorious. Not that the Sykes-Picot line hasn't made things worse but certainly not everything came down to that by a long shot.

And tribalism goes back thousands of years in Africa, long long before even the Roman Empire.

So no, the aspects you're mentioning are only a bit relevant in the long view. Middle East in particular's always been highly turbulent.

The British in India on the other hand achieved a few good things but wiped out millions. India is considerably more stable than the ME.

It's been happening any minute now for all 4 deceaseds of my life!

So yes, it could.

But I don't think it will because times have moved on and everyone has too much to lose now.

😂😂😂

Couldn’t let this one pass without acknowledging a great movie!

Only if someone presses the Big Red Button accidently while dunking their biscuit

Russia and Israel have always been in some local wars

What can any of us do about it?
Nothing