Are we still waiting for World War-III? As the global landscape continues to shift and evolve, it is becoming increasingly apparent that we’re not on the brink of another World War – we’re already in it. Unlike the clearly defined battle lines of the previous world wars, this conflict is characterized by its insidious, multifaceted nature. It unfolds in shadowy realms of cyberspace, economic sanctions, proxy battles, and relentless propaganda. This new form of war, often referred to as hybrid warfare, reflects Carl von Clausewitz’s assertion in his work “On War” that war is a continuation of politics by other means- though today, these means have become far more nuanced and pervasive.

Conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, Africa, and the Middle East all serve as battlegrounds for competing interests in this war, with multiple nations directly or indirectly involved. These regions are not merely sites of localized violence but are arenas for broader geopolitical interests. The lines are blurred, and allegiances are fluid, with nations grouping around primary forces. The United States, long seen as a champion of democracy, now maneuvers through a complex web of strategic interests, that often conflicts with its stated ideals. Russia and Iran are also significant players in this multipolar war, prioritizing national interest over international cooperation and diplomacy. The United States’ different approaches to Ukraine and Palestine illustrate Kenneth Waltz’s theory of structural realism, where states act primarily to ensure their own survival in an anarchic international system unable to act effectively. For Ukraine, it........

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