"Is A Major War Between Russia And The West Inevitable?" Topic

"World War I didn't begin in Europe. It started in Africa.

By the time the shooting erupted in 1914, in fact, a retrospective analysis of the conditions that led to war had lent credence to the conclusion that a great clash was almost inevitable. Germany's perceived "encirclement" and that resurgent nation's belief that they had been unfairly cut off from their share of colonial possessions in Africa led Berlin to embrace bellicosity. Germany forcefully protested France's subjugation of a Moroccan rebellion and subsequent occupation of that territory in 1911 — a territory that Germany coveted. Paris's move prompted Italy to declare suzerainty over the state of Libya, leading to a war with the Ottomans for control of that North African nation. After the Turks had lost control of the North African coast, the race was on to divide the spoils of the Ottoman Empire's Balkan possessions, culminating in the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913. By the onset of August Crisis in 1914, the world had already been at war for the better part of three years…"
Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

Why?
What purpose, what gain, whose reasons for it?
All the reasonable, hopeful, truly sensible way for a common bright future is via trade, tourism and cooperation.
All those side comparisons with WW1, if any sense should push everyone in the others arms, cry and do their utmost for peace, that those millions who died in vain, destroying Europe in 14-15, a 100 years ago, did not die in vain, or totally so.
WarGAMES and peace.

I don't think so. As long as Putin continues with his policy of softcore war, it won't. The article starts with a fallacy: that none could have predicted the begginning of the war in 1914. While it is true that the reactions to the assassination at Sarajevo were unexpected, all major powers had been preparing for war; they expected war to happen; what they didn't expected was that it would start in August 1914, but all of them were willing to go to war. That's a major difference with today' situation: all major powers do not want a major war to start. It would take a blatant act of aggression against at least one of the nations protected by multilateral treaties, by another power, to start a war. Even incidents in Syria between Russian and US airplanes wouldn't be enough to spark a shooting match between both powers.

Its from Commentary, Norman Podhoretz' magazine, and thus neoconservative in outlook. They are always up for another war. Beware.

Especially not in the next few years. The west will shake their fist, rattle a saber or two or draw a line in the sand.

Why be serious with Russia when we have not been with ISIS and friends.

The West does not have the will to fight anybody for anything.

Kyote- Your welcome. The OFM is right on the money.

"…when is the rest of the world going to stop counting on us to carry the load…"

When you be not more the number 1 my friend! (smile)

Amicalement
Armand