I was going to try and stay out of this one, but here I go anyway.
I feel Martin is right about when WWIII started, but because of how long things have been on we have begun to think that it isn’t our problem. Chris is right too but just because we have made it this far doesn’t mean will make it till tomorrow. I believe that a very large and violent flair up is inevitable and will happen very soon. I believe it will involve at least 90% of the Arab world, Russia, possibly China and large portion of South and Central America. Here is my reasoning (a simple version).
Reading some of the interpretations of the Iranian president’s speeches to his people, Iran has basically said that they will wipe Israel off the map. Iran has made no attempts to hide or deny the facts they want to build nuclear weapons. So one of two things are very likely here.
1-Isreal makes a preemptive conventional strike against the facilities being built. Russia will defend Iran because they are building the plants and will defend the oil also. We will defend Israel.
2- we hold Israel back and Iran is allowed to build or buy it’s nukes. They the carry out the threat they have been making, Israel will retaliate with nukes also. The rest of the Arab nations will not tolerate Israel using nukes on an Arab nation. Russia and the US will be drawn in at the same time.
I said possibly China, If the US and Russia are drawn in they may decide it’s the perfect time to settle old differences and grudges.
I say South and Central America because they are tired of our interfering in their internal problems and because Venezuela as a member of OPEC will try to defend their interests enlisting the aid of at least ½ of the nations in Latin America and most of it’s guerilla fighters.
For those who think I am just a victim of the military machine trying to scare me, and that I need to get out and learn more about the world. I don’t listen to the military or the media much any more neither are to be trusted to give an unbiased report. I have been in more countries than I can remember and have listened to the people who say they want me and you and what we stand for dead. All we can do is prepare or stick our heads in the sand and hope some how it goes away. Either way it's your choice.