World War III (also WWIII, or the Third World War) denotes a hypothetical successor to World War II (1939–1945), that is likely nuclear and extremely devastating in nature.
This war is anticipated and planned for by military and civil authorities, and explored in fiction in many countries. Concepts range from limited use of nuclear weapons, to destruction of the planet.
With the development of the arms race, before the collapse of the Soviet Unio...
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World War III (also WWIII, or the Third World War) denotes a hypothetical successor to World War II (1939–1945), that is likely nuclear and extremely devastating in nature.
This war is anticipated and planned for by military and civil authorities, and explored in fiction in many countries. Concepts range from limited use of nuclear weapons, to destruction of the planet.
With the development of the arms race, before the collapse of the Soviet Union and end of the Cold War, an apocalyptic war between the United States and the Soviet Union was considered plausible. The Doomsday Clock has served as a symbol of historic World War III close calls since the Truman Doctrine went into effect in 1947.
The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 is generally thought to be the historical point at which the risk of World War III was closest.
During the Suez Crisis of 1956, Soviet Premier Nikolai Bulganin sent a note to British Prime Minister Anthony Eden warning that "if this war is not stopped it carries...
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