Over the past few years, the geopolitical climate has been tense with ongoing conflicts globally. Social media is currently flooded with doomsday rhetoric amidst global nuclear threats, such as the current conflict between Iran and Israel. The prospect of World War 3 seems ever present with the Doomsday Clock now sitting at 89 seconds to midnight.
Based on a “doomsday map” analysis featured in Express, the six most dangerous places to be during a global conflict are the United States, Israel, Iran, Russia, Taiwan, and North Korea. These nations are identified due to their strategic importance, current geopolitical tensions, and potential to be central figures or primary targets in a widespread war.
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The United States
The United States would be considered a primary target if a global war erupts. It is an economic and political powerhouse funding arms to various key countries in the world, particularly Israel and Ukraine. The U.S. could be drawn into conflict with Iran through Israel’s conflict as Israel relies on the United States to fund arms. Political and economic ties between the United States with Russia and China are extremely volatile and hostile. If these countries are to enter into war, they would strike key sites on U.S. soil.
Nuclear simulations show that cities like New York and Washington D.C. would face catastrophic and direct hits. The immediate aftermath would involve mass casualties and widespread destruction across the nation. The nation’s military assets would also become high-priority targets for enemy forces. This includes vital missile silos located in states such as Montana and North Dakota.
Israel
Israel’s location in the Middle East has been involved in conflict ever since its establishment in the region. Recent missile exchanges with Iran have increased public fear of safety and uncertainty as to further escalation. The Trump-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran was agreed upon by both countries. However, shortly after the agreement was violated with Trump lashing out at both stating neither “knows what the f*** they’re doing.”
The nation’s strong alliance with the United States means conflicts in the region could involve Western interventions. A regional dispute could quickly become global. Fears amongst Western powers of Iran’s nuclear program developing nuclear weapons continue to heighten tensions between Iran and Western powers.
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Iran
Iran faces a similar level of danger for many of the same reasons. If the ceasefire no longer holds, the nation would likely face direct military action from both Israel and the United States. The fears of Iran developing nuclear weapons have also made them a military target. As the ceasefire holds, Israel has expressed fears that this gives them time to develop nuclear weapons. Trump has claimed they had already targeted and destroyed their key nuclear development sites.
Iran’s allies could quickly escalate any regional conflict into World War 3. Nations like Russia, China, and North Korea might offer their support to Tehran. This backing would transform a localized war into a global power standoff. Such a tense situation amongst nuclear superpowers could have devastating effects for the globe.
Russia
Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine maintains high tensions with Western nations. It is also a key ally of Iran, which connects it to Middle East conflicts. In a new global war, American and Russian missiles would target each other. This standoff mirrors the Cold War and carries the risk of unimaginable devastation. The potential for nuclear escalation between these 2 powers remains a grave threat to international stability.
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Taiwan
Taiwan exists as a disputed territory, which is a major point of friction between them and mainland China. China claims the island as its own land and may use force to take it if any global conflict begins. If World War 3 starts, China would probably try to occupy its smaller neighbor.
This act of aggression would almost certainly draw in the United States. It would also involve America’s key regional allies like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. China might believe a quick military victory would prevent others from intervening. However, the United States maintains contingency plans to help defend Taiwan from an attack.
North Korea
North Korea remains a volatile and mysterious nation, as they are extremely secretive. Their military capabilities are unknown but it is assumed they do not match the power of the major western countries. North Korea has expressed their ownership of nuclear weapons. If World War 3 erupts, North Korea would most likely align with China and Russia. It is reliant on China for trade.
Its developing nuclear capabilities add another dangerous layer to any confrontation. This poses an immediate and direct threat to its neighbors. South Korea and Japan would face an especially grave danger from their aggressive and unpredictable neighbor.
Seeking Refuge From the Most Dangerous Places
With so many dangerous places, people may wonder about possible safe havens. These nations offer safety due to their isolation from conflict regions or due to political neutrality. Their unique geographic or political situations might spare them from the worst of a global nuclear war. These locations provide a potential escape from the primary conflict zones for civilians if a world war ever erupts.
Countries such as Switzerland, Greenland, Iceland, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand could be considered safe havens. This is due to their political neutrality, proximity to the conflict and locations. For example, Antarctica is considered one of the safest spots on the entire planet. Its extremely remote location gives it almost no strategic value in war.
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