Nusrat Mirza
The world seems to be galloping towards a nuclear World War III. Ukraine has launched American missiles at Russia, and its president is proudly stating that the effects will be `seen later. While the US has not officially included Ukraine in NATO, it has effectively been treated as part of the alliance, receiving destructive missiles and other military assistance from NATO, Britain, and other countries. In response, Russia has warned that if it is attacked, it will retaliate against NATO countries. If this occur, the war would spiral out of control, potentially engulfing the world in an unprecedented conflict.
Russia, which has acquired drones from Iran, has long-range weapons primarily designed to target the US and Europe. It never anticipated finding itself in conflict with Ukraine. However, if the situation escalates, the very existence of the world could be at risk, as the use of nuclear weapons by the United States, Russia, China, or North Korea cannot be ruled out. In a joint article in the renowned American magazine Foreign Affairs on November 20, 2024, Madeleine Crandon and Franklin Miller wrote that if the United States wants to avoid the threat of war, it must abandon or at least review its policy of modernizing its nuclear weapons.
By doing so, the United States could reduce the fears of Russia, China, and North Korea, which feel increasingly threatened. On the other hand, Pentagon officials argue that abandoning modernization would make America more vulnerable and compromise its security. This debate underscores that, for the first time in three decades, America’s security is genuinely under threat.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders, such as Nizhny Novgorod, have stated that nuclear weapons would be used if Russia’s security is endangered. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has showcased an extensive stockpile of nuclear weapons, which a retired American military general described as “terrifying.” Adding to the complexity, China and Russia have signed an agreement of unlimited friendship, and the North Korean president has declared his practical participation in the Ukrainian war. North Korea also claims it can strike its neighbors and even US territory with its missiles, a claim it reinforced by testing a ballistic missile on October 31, 2024.
The mounting resistance against the United States globally is seen as a challenge to its hegemony. This situation also threatens its ability to interfere in global affairs a role it seems unwilling to relinquish. For the US to avoid escalating tensions further, it must abandon its policy of worldwide hegemony and refrain from interfering in the affairs of other nations. It must also project an image of having no aggressive intentions toward other countries. Contrarily, the Biden administration has pursued a doctrine centered on modernizing American weapons, organizing them, and accelerating the production of advanced armaments. This approach risks mutual destruction and the loss of millions of innocent lives. The United States is using Ukraine as a proxy against Russia while simultaneously encircling China through alliances with Taiwan, India, and other countries. Although China does not intend to engage in military conflicts before 2030, it is preparing to secure itself in the interim.
The US is also developing new missile technologies for faster and more precise attacks, creating modern platforms and weapons systems. It is worth noting that the United States possesses nuclear weapons comparable to or slightly better than those used in Hiroshima, and it is spending millions of dollars to modernize them. However, this modernization faces challenges due to limited industrial capacity, lack of materials, trained manpower, and insufficient funds.
In such a situation, the Trump administration is left with two options: either continue with Joe Biden’s policy or reevaluate it to adopt a more peaceful “live and let live” approach. The choice boils down to perpetuating the policy of nuclear deterrence or developing a new framework for global stability. What is required is a modernized and balanced policy that seeks to fix escalating tensions rather than exacerbate them.
While some American columnists and intellectuals highlight the difficulties in implementing Biden’s policy, particularly in light of America’s $43 trillion debt and an unemployment rate of 40%, others believe the US can overcome these challenges. The Trump administration has already initiated efforts to reduce unemployment by establishing factories domestically, focusing on producing essential goods and limiting imports of Chinese products. Although this process will take time, it demonstrates a shift towards economic independence.
American officials, however, have a history of deception. They may claim to halt nuclear modernization efforts while covertly continuing them, much like the United States’ environmental strategies in the 1970s. Despite pledges to address climate change as a threat to humanity, the US developed technologies like HAARP, which could manipulate environmental conditions. This capability, described as a strategic weapon, allows the US to create floods, tsunamis, and earthquakes further extending its global dominance.
Globally, the fear instilled by the US remains unabated, prompting nations to arm themselves with modern weaponry. In this arms race, emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, play a critical role. China has made significant strides in AI, with President Xi Jinping claiming that while the first century of mechanical engineering belonged to Britain, and the next two centuries of electrical and information technology belonged to America, the fourth century might belong to China.
The US, however, challenges this assertion, citing its 159 companies actively working on AI compared to China’s 29 universities. China and Russia, meanwhile, are actively countering American influence. They are weakening the dollar’s status as the global reserve currency, strengthening ties with the Global South, and expanding trade in regions like Latin America. Initiatives like China’s Belt and Road Initiative promote development through collective unity, further challenging US hegemony.
The critical question remains: will the United States alter its aggressive policies and allow the world to avoid the catastrophe of a third world war? The answer depends on America’s willingness to adapt its behavior, abandon hegemonic ambitions, and embrace a more cooperative global approach. The stakes are high, and the decisions made today will shape the future of humanity.
The author is the Chief Editor of the monthly Interaction.
