Most additionally consider that nuclear weapons could be used if World Conflict III broke out
In a speech in January, Protection Secretary Grant Shapps stated we have been “shifting from a post-war to a pre-war world”. In the identical speech, he advised that in 5 years the UK might face battle in a number of theaters, together with Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.
New YouGov knowledge reveals most Brits are actually ready for World Conflict III. 53% consider it’s doubtless that one other world battle will happen within the subsequent 5 to 10 years.
Simply 31% of Brits assume one other world battle is unlikely inside that interval, together with simply eight% who assume it’s “under no circumstances doubtless”.
With parliamentary elections approaching, battle expectations are clearly bipartisan. Most 2019 Conservative voters (57%) and half of 2019 Labor voters (51%) assume battle is probably going within the coming years.
Which international locations could be concerned in World Conflict III?
Thirty years after the top of the Chilly Conflict, the US and Russia stay the 2 international locations the British count on to be concerned in a future world battle. Eight in ten consider the US could be concerned – on the identical facet because the UK, at 81% – whereas an identical 80% consider Russia could be concerned, albeit on the alternative facet of the UK.
Fewer consider Iran (68%), China (64%) and North Korea (64%) could be concerned, all on a special facet to Britain.
If World Conflict III did escape, most Brits consider the UK could be allied with France (68%) and Germany (63%), in addition to Poland (59%) and Australia (57%).
The outcomes have to be considered with some warning. The general public’s geopolitical information tends to be low, with as much as 49% answering “do not know” in some international locations. Likewise, important minorities stated that pleasant nations akin to Israel (17%), South Korea (15%) and Japan (13%) could be on a special facet of the battle than the UK.
Who would win World Conflict III?
The British are inclined to assume that the West would prevail towards Russia and China (or each) within the probably eventualities.
If the West and its allies got here into battle with Russia and its allies, 44% to 13% of Brits consider we might emerge victorious.
There’s additionally a big majority who consider that the West would defeat China and its allies (38% to 15%) in the event that they have been the enemy in World Conflict III.
There’s much less belief within the occasion that the West takes on Russia and China on the similar time. Whereas most individuals nonetheless assume the West would win, the margin is narrower at 31% to 21%.
For every query, 43-48% of Brits answered “don’t know”.
Would nuclear weapons be utilized in World Conflict III?
The Second World Conflict ended with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and most Britons assume that nuclear weapons could be used within the subsequent battle.
Virtually six in ten Brits (59%) assume using nuclear weapons in a 3rd world battle is probably going, together with 19% who assume it’s “very doubtless”. In distinction, solely 24% assume that is unlikely, together with simply 6% who assume it is rather unlikely.