World War 3

World War III (abbreviated as WWIII, also known as the Third World War) is the hypothetical future successor to World War II (1939–1945). In fiction, the war is often suggested to be nuclear and extremely devastating in nature.

This war is anticipated and planned for by military and civil authorities, and explored in fiction by many authors all around the world. Concepts range from purely conventional scenarios or a limited use of nuclear weapons to the 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 highly likely. The Doomsday Clock has served as a symbol of historic World War III close calls since the Truman Doctrine went into effect in 1947.

Some neoconservative thinkers, including Norman Podhoretz, have suggested that the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union in the mid-20th century should be considered World War III.[1]

Contents [hide]

1 Greatest threats

1.1 Operation Unthinkable

1.2 Suez Crisis—Soviet threat (1956)

1.3 Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

1.4 False alarms (1983)

1.5 Pristina International Airport—NATO and Russian standoff (1999)

2 Difficulty in determining a "World War"

3 Popular culture

3.1 Quotations

4 See also

5 References

Greatest threatsOperation Unthinkable

Territory of the western Allies (blue) and Soviet Union and its allies (red) in September 1945Main article: Operation Unthinkable

According to the Operation Unthinkable plan ordered by Churchill and developed by the British Armed Forces, the Third World War could have started on 1 July 1945 with a sudden attack against the allied Soviet troops. The plan was rejected by the British Chiefs of Staff Committee as militarily unfeasible.

Suez Crisis—Soviet threat (1956)Further information: Suez Crisis

During the Suez Crisis of 1956, Soviet Premier Nikolai