Maybe the Arab countries want to free Palestine from Israel but some other countries are with Israel.

Yes, and Israel has nuclear weapons - so if World War III emerged in the Middle East, it could have a catastrophic outcome.

World War III would be fought with Nuclear Arms, World War IV would be fought with sticks and stones.

This is in response to the original question regarding why would there be a Word War III.

The biggest problem I see that would cause this world ending tragedy is the United States acting militarily to matters that are none of our business. I saw the twin towers get hit on 9/11 live on CNN. It angered me as much as anything possibly could; however, there has been no evidence that Iraq was involved in this tragedy. The US had no business invading and occupying Iraq.

There was some evidence that groups in Afghanistan had something to do with it. Surgical bombing sorties should have been our only response. No ground troops should have been involved. If we did not learn anything from Vietnam, we should have learned that Afghanistan was a no win proposition from the former Soviet Union's failure there.

Now it seems that we are starting trouble with Iran.

Why are these conflicts taking place; and why in the middle east? In my opinion these conflicts are governed by US economic issues. Thay cost the US billions of dollars, but they put money in the pockets of the ruling elite.

My family has lived in the US before there was a United States. One direct ancestor signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. I have taken more than one oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. I vote in every election. I am stating these things because I love my country but I don't care for some of the things it does.

How do we stop the US agression in places we don't belong?

Do we have to take to the streets as some did in the '60s?

The fighting has to stop or we will have a World War III.

Yea if there is a WWIII there would be nothing left of us. The government does not see where they are leading the country.

I have to state in regard to my posting above, that one statement I made is a quote from Albert Eistein,"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

As stated by Jimmy Carter "War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children." I think this quote says it all. How about you?

Jimmy Carter is the best ex-President of the 11 ex-Presidents that have live during my life time. I mean that in the kindest way possible. He is a good man. His Presidency did not live up to what he is capable of, except for the Camp David Accords.

I think his words are good ones; however, I would like some clarification of necessary wars. I think that it would be a very narrow definition.

The United States is not the economic power that it was in the '50s and '60s. Our balance of trade has almost reverse.We cannot be the world's policeman. We can't afford it economically,nor can we can't afford to lose any more lives unnecessarily.

In my opinion, necessary wars are as follows in order of importance:

1. If the United States or any of its territories are attacked by an identifiable, recognized political state e.g., Japan December 7, 1941.

2. Military action in order to uphold the Monroe Doctrine.

3. NATO treaty obligations.

What happened on 9/11 was a horrible thing. I can't imagine what the people in those buildings thought, nor can I imagine the courage displayed by NYFD and NYPD. However, this was a criminal act, it was not an act of war. Criminal acts are investigated by the NYPD and the FBI.

We didn't know where to strike back. We first bombed Afghanistan, and then managed to attack Iraq with no real basis. Troops on the ground are not going to change anything in those countries. We should not force democracy on any country, just as no other country should force communism, facism or any other ism on us.

I hold the troops, and sailors in the highest regard that are fighting that war, but I do not support the war.

Giving President Carter's ideas more thought, I would really like to know the necessary wars he refers to in light of his well known Christianity, and Christ's instruction to turn the other cheek.

I enjoyed your posting. It made me think.

John T. Russell

There is no necesary war. and you are right there is a very narrow definition.

Well, I honestly do not think so, since at the moment only Iran and Syria are "ideologically" against Israel. Besides, Israel is able to defend its border by itself. In the previous century Israel was in trouble and many nations were against it, but the jewish state managed to face the situation.

the war rises when there's a disequilibrium, an economic necessity. A rapid analysis of the current geopolitical scenary would make me think the reasons bringing a war could be the future scarsity of resources (water, in Africa; oil, in the Middle East. What the arabian countries are going to do, when the oil will be run out?). Besides, Russia, at the moment, is a giant with feet of clay. China's growth will be interrupted when its inhabitants become aware of the necessity of social and human rights.
When these unrests arise, a conflict will break out.

You learnt that off of Call of duty 4 didn't you, epic fail

No. I have no idea what "Call of duty 4" is.

I got it from a lifetime of studying history and current events, with a gift for remembering what I have learned.

I have to agree. When and if there is a WWIII, the catalyst will definitely be the Middle East. Its somehow fitting that an area of the world that has seen nonstop conflict and warfare for almost the entire 5,000 year history of modern civilization could be the cause of said civilization ending.

That's a good quote. I've never heard it before. Thanks for sharing.

Well - you could make an argument (and I always do, because I really believe it) that we've already HAD World War III, and nobody noticed.

Nations from every continent except Antarctica sent troops to the Persian Gulf in 1991 - even Japan, who doesn't even have an offensive force, sent a hospital ship to support it. The Soviet Union did not object to it. That's a lot more countries than all of the WWII combatants.

Besides, any war where CANADA comes... :)