Who are the world's main military superpowers and there allies and enemies?

Question

and... What are the chances of WWIII?

Answer 1

United States of America:
- Allies: UK, France (new leadership is pro-US), Canada, Australia, South Korea, India (to an extent), Taiwan and Japan.
- Enemies: Russia, PRC, Venezuela, Iran, North Korea.
- Dilemma: Most nations we're (I'm American) at odds with are also major business partners. Also a growing distrust of the US as of late due to President Bush's policies.

People's Republic of China:
- Allies: Russia, Vietnam, Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, South African warlords/dictators as well as smaller nations of Asia that do not enjoy favorable attention from the US.
- Enemies: US, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India and (a real shocker) Russia.
- Dilemma: Although Russia is a friend of theirs, they also are an enemy. Why? Because they have a past of invading each other for one. The PRC also wants Siberia. India is a business partner but they have lands both contest over. Same for Vietnam. The ancient Chinese, and now PRC, have been invading Vietnam for thousands of years. Not to long after the US withdrawal of Vietnam did the PRC invade them, only to be expelled. The big problem for the PRC is most of their business partners are also hated rivals for the title world hegomon which has always been a dominate Chinese aspiration and is even listed as a main goal in Chinese Communist doctrine with a "victory at any cost" mentality.

Russia:
- Allies: Anybody willing to do business.
- Enemies: NATO and Islamic seperatists. Also not friendly with former Soviet states.
- Dilemma: Big ego, broken military. Although booming economically right now, they suffer an "enemies at the gates" syndrome as seen with the recent flights near the UK and Guam (US) as well as the always present fear of the PRC's eyes on Siberian resources. As I mentioned, they are broken militarily, but they still have their old military to hold their ground and some of the greatest technological achievements in military design (although they can't buy most of what they design). All it takes is another "people's war" to wake up the bear again.

And there you have it, you could list off the EU nations such as the UK, Germany and France but they have little to no power projection by themselves. Japan is a major Asian superpower but is bound by article 9. And India is big but lacks infrastructure.

Chances of World War III: You'll get your "globalization means we're all together economically so no country will cause trouble" but that is all rubbish. Taiwan will likely be the trigger for war, possibly to World War III levels, as it is claimed by the PRC and protected by the United States and Japan. Also, something the "PRC is our friend" people will always overlook, is that the PRC has never backed down from a fight before. The Korean War, the French and US wars in Vietnam, the 1979 PRC invasion of Vietnam (to this day illegally occupies Vietnamese islands of the region), Tibet, India (a war and several border skermishes) and several border skermishes with the Soviet Union. Recently the PRC has also put aside 40+ billion USD as a "just in case" war fund as well as has focused more on the military than any other part of demestic spending. The list goes on, just Google it or read some newspapers and you will get your fill.

Chances of war between superpowers: I'd guess 55-65%
Chances of that conflict turning into a world war: 75-85%

Answer 2

Seven countries have nuclear weapons, US, Russia, Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan and Israel. Israel denies they have nuclear weapons and North Korea...who knows.

The US currently has pretty good relations with all these countries, except North Korea.

China has a back door relationship with Iran because of oil. China gets lots of oil from Iran. China gives a rats *** about Iran's political problems as long as the oil flows. Creates a political problem for the US tho. You see? Highly unlikely China wants a military conflict with the US in the foreseeable future, for any reason, especially North Korea.

Russia balks at a lot of US initiatives when it comes to mainland Europe, but they are usually shown the light and are agreeable after some consultation.

The US holds much sway over France, Britain, India, Pakistan and Israel and it's highly unlikely any of these countries would be the spark plug for a worldwide war.

If WW III were to ignite, it'll probably happen in the Middle East over oil. The chances are pretty slim tho.

Answer 3

The main military superpowers of the world belong to the U.S.A., Russia, Iran, Germany, Great Britain, and France. Though France and the USA aren't allies, they are two of the most important and influential in todays military society.

We are (the USA) allies with many countries, Great Britain being one of our most influential. Isreal is not a force to be reckoned with as far as military is concerned, though don't underestimate them. They have the most important ally up their sleeve.

Answer 4

U.S.A is the only world superpower for the moment but you dont want to mess with anyone with nukes either e.g Russia,U.K,France,China,Israel,Pakistan,India and N.Korea. As for allies it depends on what they are fighting for, for example Europe and U.S are allies but if trouble brewed between the U.S and Russia, Europe might help Russia because 40% of Russias oil is sold to Europe. Who knows really?! As for WW3 we might already be in the starting stages. we will know if the U.S invades Iran when that happens then i think all hell would break lose.

Answer 5

The USA is the only remaining superpower and our allies and enemies vary from time to time depending on if they perceive we are acting in their interests or not.

Answer 6

We are not enemies with China!

We are not the closest of friends per se, but both the USA and China rely to heavily on each other that no significant conflict would break out.

Answer 7

i think military superpowers were obviusly stated in the previous answers with the exeption of 1, Israel. dont underestimate their small size, their power is what counts. im not gonna tell you my reasons, but im going to let you read it and see it for yourself. israel controls more than what you think... oh ww3 is inevitable, with the tention in the middle east increasing by the minute, its possible that it can be a conflict between russia, china, and the arab countries, VS U.S.A, israel, england etc.

Answer 8

usa and china are enemies