Buzz
War is an unchanging aspect of human existence. No matter how much progress we make or how much technology evolves, humanity will continue to find ways to engage in violence. The younger generation will inevitably witness warfare; the only uncertainty is when it will happen.
These 10 potential conflicts could ignite within the next few years. Some may be localized, others may span the globe. Some could be minor, while others may be catastrophic. What remains consistent is the terrifying potential for devastation that these wars hold.
10. The China-Russia Siberian Conflict
One waning superpower, and a rising challenger eager to dominate the world. Right now, China and Russia are the dominant forces east of the Ural Mountains. Both countries boast massive armies. Both possess nuclear capabilities. Both have imperial ambitions. And both lay claim to Siberia.
Siberia, a vast, sparsely inhabited land richer in resources than Canada, has long been on China’s radar. Recently, China angered Russia by attempting to purchase large sections of Siberian land. Beijing views the eastern part of Siberia as historically part of its domain, with many ethnic Chinese now settling on the Russian side. This poses a growing challenge for Russia.
A war between China and Russia over Siberia would be catastrophic, with only two possible outcomes: the Chinese military would overpower Russia, or Moscow would retaliate with nuclear strikes. In either scenario, the loss of life would be devastating.
9. The Struggle for the Baltics
Following Putin’s annexation of Crimea, Europe has been on edge about the possibility of war with Russia. Former NATO deputy commander Sir Alexander Richard Shirreff believes that this threat is nearly inevitable.
Shirreff attributes Russia’s fear of being surrounded by NATO as the key factor that could spark conflict in the region. By May 2017, the veteran British general predicts that Moscow will push through Ukraine to create a land corridor linking Crimea to Russia, eventually launching an invasion of one or more Baltic states. Since Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are NATO members, this could trigger a devastating Western confrontation with Russia.
The first conflict in the Baltics could result in tens of thousands of casualties. Disturbingly, Shirreff warns that Russia might threaten to use nuclear weapons if NATO intervenes, putting millions of lives at risk.
8. The North Korean Uprising
Earlier this year, a senior North Korean diplomat defected to South Korea from London. This is just one of many signs pointing to the imminent downfall of the Kim Jong Un regime.
Kim has alienated key allies like China and can no longer maintain the luxuries for his inner circle. The widespread availability of affordable smartphones has allowed ordinary North Koreans to see life beyond their borders. At the same time, the nation is bracing for shortages that could make the 1994 famine seem mild in comparison.
The outcome could spark a revolution unlike anything the DPRK has ever experienced. Citizens might rise up in protest, the military could fracture into opposing factions, and chaos would follow. The last time a communist regime fell violently was in Romania, where a popular uprising claimed over 1,100 lives in under 10 days. Removing Kim could result in even more bloodshed.
7. Europe’s Urban Guerrilla Conflict With ISIS
As air strikes, economic collapse, and advancing armies push ISIS to the brink of defeat, they won’t simply vanish. Once their official state collapses, there’s a high likelihood that the jihadists will bring their fight directly to Europe.
Returning fighters could devastate the continent in a brutal, low-intensity urban guerrilla conflict. Major European cities could turn into battle zones, with frequent shootings, bombings, and fierce confrontations between law enforcement and armed jihadists in the streets.
France and Belgium would be the primary targets, with Germany and the UK following closely behind. No city would remain untouched. Political leaders would be rendered powerless. The streets would be filled with violence and chaos. This grim urban warfare would persist until every last ISIS operative is eliminated.
6. Venezuela’s Civil Conflict
The streets of Caracas have descended into lawlessness. Basic goods are nearly impossible to find. Inflation has skyrocketed beyond 500 percent, with projections that it could surge to 1,600 percent. Protests are rampant, violence is widespread, corruption is at an all-time high, police brutality is unchecked, and the government remains in denial about the looming collapse.
The likely outcome of this chaos? Civil war.
With Maduro refusing to step down, the desperate and struggling people of Venezuela might take up arms. Widespread defections from the police and military are a real possibility. Nearby right-wing governments could intervene, as well as left-wing factions like Colombia’s ELN. This volatile mix could quickly spiral into total disorder.
Even without a full-scale war, a coup could be the best-case scenario for Venezuela. Drawing from Latin American history, such a move would likely result in brutal repression and massive bloodshed.
5. China’s Second Cultural Revolution
The Cultural Revolution under Chairman Mao was brutally savage. Around 1.5 million people perished, with millions more enduring torture and mutilation. Rampant corruption, widespread discontent, and a feeling of betrayal led to a bloodbath. Fast forward to 2016, and all the same ingredients are in place for a bloody repeat.
China has a deep-rooted history of peasant uprisings. Mao himself rose to power during one such revolt that claimed eight million lives. A few decades prior, the Boxer Rebellion resulted in over 100,000 deaths. Even further back, the Taiping Rebellion killed anywhere from 20 to 30 million, potentially as many as 70 million.
In historical terms, the idea of another Cultural Revolution isn’t far-fetched. China already witnesses 500 protests daily. Each year sees approximately 100,000 riots. The leadership is rife with corruption. The younger generation speaks of revolution. If the next economic collapse severely affects their quality of life, another catastrophic wave of violence could follow.
4. Bosnia Mark II
In the 1990s, the world watched in shock as Bosnia fell apart. Around 100,000 people lost their lives as ethnic cleansing forced civilians from their ancestral lands. The 1995 Dayton Accords ended the violence by establishing two “states within a state”: Bosnia and Herzegovina for Bosniaks and Croats, and Republika Srpska for Serbs.
The issue with this new arrangement was its inherent instability. Divided along ethnic lines, it fostered a climate of growing tension, deep resentments, and a thirst for revenge. Today, the entire nation is impoverished, with youth unemployment exceeding 60 percent, the highest in the world. The Serbs and Croats still seek independence, while the Bosniaks strive to keep the state unified.
The leader of Republika Srpska recently threw a spark into this volatile situation. Ethnic Serbs are preparing to vote on whether to secede from Bosnia. Should the vote favor secession, the likely outcome is an unwelcome sequel to Bosnia’s horrific civil war.
3. The South China Sea/World War III
The only thing more terrifying than a direct confrontation between Pakistan and India would be one between China and the United States. Especially if it drags in nations like the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, and others.
Welcome to the South China Sea, the region most likely to ignite World War III.
For the past several years, China has been aggressively asserting its presence in the sea, often at the expense of smaller nations with which the United States has alliances. The US has issued warnings in response, and China has countered with threats. Neither side appears willing to back down.
If this situation were to escalate into full-blown war, there would be no predicting the outcome. The entire globe would be drawn into the conflict, and millions of lives would be lost. It would resemble World War II, but on a far more deadly scale—the deadliest war humanity has ever seen.
2. The Indo-Pak Nuclear War
In the winter of 2008, the world came perilously close to the brink of destruction.
That year, a confrontation between Pakistan and India over state-backed terrorism almost triggered a nuclear war. In the end, swift diplomatic efforts from around the world de-escalated the situation. However, both nations have faced such moments before and will likely encounter them again. If the outcome is different next time, we might witness the end of humanity as we know it.
An Indo-Pak nuclear conflict would incinerate major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Karachi, and Islamabad. Tens of millions would be consumed by the flames, while the ensuing nuclear winter would devastate crops throughout Asia, leading to widespread famine. It’s estimated that up to two billion people could perish.
So, what could spark such a catastrophic war? It could stem from the contested Kashmir region, a failing Pakistani state, or terrorism linked to Pakistan targeting India. Simply put, the number of potential triggers is far too high to feel secure.
1. The Saudi Arabian Revolution
Saudi Arabia managed to avoid the turmoil of the Arab Spring. While Tunisia and Egypt saw the fall of dictators, Syria burned, and Libya collapsed, the royal family in Saudi Arabia held onto power.
But did they truly escape unscathed? According to the Washington Institute in the US, Saudi Arabia's current situation mirrors the circumstances that preceded the Egyptian revolution. The nation is on the verge of eruption.
The sharp decline in oil prices has pushed the extravagant kingdom to the edge of bankruptcy. Youth unemployment has soared in a country dominated by young people. Discontent is brewing among educated young adults. The ruling House of Saud is pushing through unpopular privatizations, much like Mubarak did in Egypt. The Shia minority is protesting. ISIS is attacking. And the conflict in Yemen is going disastrously.
A revolution arising from this widespread discontent seems likely. If it does occur, it could resemble the uprisings in Egypt, Libya, or Syria. Only time will reveal the outcome.
