As far as I am aware, the US does not have a mutual defense treaty with Russia. However, we have had one with Kuwait, South Korea, South Vietnam, etc. The other times we "butt in" is generally as part of a coalition, UN/NATO (or both). So for us to "butt in", Russia would have to ask for our assistance. And that actually is not completely unreasonable. In the last 20 years the US and Russian military have worked together in several operations including anti-piracy off Somalia and Russian assistance in Afghanistan. So if China were to invade Russia, I do not think the US will be on the sidelines for long. Although I doubt there will be many ground troops, it would likely be mostly Naval and Air support. I also doubt it would be a "World War", because what nations are going to join China in such an aggressive war? In order to have a "World War" you would need at least 2 differing alliances. And who would join China? Iran and North Korea? Not hardly.
Actually no, it can't. Most of resources are situated far norther and far western from the borderline than you can even imagine. And even as if they win a war (and they won't), they still would have to pour in gazillions of dollars to build nessesary infrastructure. In fact, they have no interest in this whatsoever, Russia is perfectly well ready to sell it for cash and products. We are much more of an allies, than opponents. Meanwhile, USA is doing it's best to contain China and they know it. Take a look at their shipbuilding program. You don't need a massive fleet to fight Russia.... So better for you to get ready. I'd expect an upcoming China-Japan conflict and you have to defend Japan or lose your face forever.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/201...ed-in-a-tense-standoff-with-chinese-warships/ A U.S. NAVY SHIP WAS INVOLVED IN A TENSE STANDOFF WITH CHINESE WARSHIPS Dec. 13, 2013 11:30am A United States guided missile warship was involved in a tense standoff recently in international waters with Chinese naval vessels, the Washington Free Beacon reported, citing Defense Department officials. The USS Cowpens was involved recently in a confrontation with Chinese naval vessels (flickr) A Chinese warship reportedly tried to block the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens dead in its tracks. The Cowpens was in the area recently as part of the United States’ ongoing efforts to provide disaster relief to the typhoon-ravaged Philippines. The USS Cowpens entered the South China Sea area (near China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning) last week during a routine operation and was confronted by Chinese warships. “On December 5th, while lawfully operating in international waters in the South China Sea, USS Cowpens and a PLA Navy vessel had an encounter that required maneuvering to avoid a collision,” a Navy official told the Beacon. “This incident underscores the need to ensure the highest standards of professional seamanship, including communications between vessels, to mitigate the risk of an unintended incident or mishap.”
Unless the planet is drastically low on essential resources, I see very little reason for WW3 erupting across the globe. Honestly, proxy wars have been the norm since 1950, and I would dare to say that they will remain the norm. There will be various regional conflicts over the next thirty years, but they will be contained. The industrial powers will intervene, support, and denounce different factions/combatants in these future conflicts, but it will not spread like a global wildfire. I would be much more concerned about another "cold" war - especially between PRC and USA - than any other scenario. We certainly do not need the two largest economies trying to outspend/bankrupt each other. That can only result in a chain of events that cripples the global economy more than ever before. Perhaps there should be a over-arching authority to make sure these things do not occur.. If only the United Nations had any true power..
Most wars (especially World Wars) are not about resources at all, but differing ideologies. WWI and the Seven Years War are really the only real exceptions, since the reasons for those one was more continental rivalry. 30 Years War (Protestant Vs. Catholics), WWII (Fascism), and the Cold War (Marxism) were all about ideologies. And with the death of the Colonial System, invasions are much more about ideology then anything else.
Certainly. However, I do not foresee a global war in response to ideological differences. Albeit, there may be a few players on the world stage that are not above instigating a large-scale conflict.. I do not believe the advanced nations of the globe will be anything, but reticent to partake in such a war. Forgive me for not clarifying. I did not mean resources were the prominent root cause of war. I meant only that if resources were scarce enough, I could believe it would come to large-scale conflict. Thank you.
