Global tensions are seemingly at the highest level in decades, with a feeling that if a few dominoes were to fall, World War Three could spread across the globe. The conflict that many thought had started to die down now seems to be at a flash point as old powers and emerging ones look determined to flex their muscles on the global stage.

Pressures combined with rapidly advancing military technology and a breakdown in the global community have left many scratching their heads as to how we got here, but some nations seem more responsible than others in the dismantling of global peace. While many thought allies from the 20th century were unbreakable, spats inside NATO and between Donald Trump and Europe could be the reset button in an every-man-himself all-out war. With tensions reaching a boiling point, looking at recent headlines, the Daily Express has looked at five places where a spark of conflict could trigger the next world war.

Ukraine

Ukraine remains one of the most immediate and visible risks. Since the Russian invasion, Europe seems to have been brought to breaking point, as many of its European allies have scrambled to try and defend their borders from a reborn Russian threat.

While a peace deal drafted by the US could be on the verge of completion, fears of Donald Trump’s Russian favour have led to worries about Ukrainian concessions. Should these sticking points over occupied land not be resolved, the peace mission could be back to square one, with missiles and drones once again taking to the air.

Israel and Iran

Tensions between Iran and an allied US and Israeli force seemed to have boiled over once again in recent weeks, setting an ominous tone for the new year.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared his country is in an “all-out war” with the US, Israel, and Europe after accusing the West of besieging his country.

In response, Donald Trump warned he would “knock the hell out of them” with a “powerful” strike if they continue efforts to develop nuclear missiles.

Claims around the military development of nuclear and ballistic missiles have worried many, with Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu both warning that they are ready to bomb Iran if it continues its nuclear and missile programme. 

Trump added: “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we have to knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them.”

In 2025, tensions were sky-high with the “12-day war” seeing the two bombard each other with missiles after Israel launched a surprise attack on many of its nuclear development locations.

North Korea

North Korea has continued to raise alarm with frequent missile tests and is increasingly hostile towards South Korea, Japan and the United States. 

As recently as December 29, North Korea fired long-range strategic cruise missiles into the sea to test the country’s nuclear deterrence. Kim Jong Un has also been reported to have been making progress on its nuclear submarine, with a completed model being unveiled earlier this month.

Taiwan 

Tensions between China and Taiwan have once again been boiling after Trump and Taipei agreed to an $11bn weapons trade that will see the island be flooded with American weapons.

In the aftermath, China has hugely increased its military presence in the Taiwan Strait with live drills and ammunition being fired into the ocean. 

If a full-scale invasion were to take place, Taiwan’s allies would likely be dragged into a conflict, with the country being one of the world’s biggest exporters of semiconductor microchips, which are crucial in most modern-day technology, including military gear.  

Venezuela

Trump’s main military focus seems to be on the South American country of Venezuela. The country, which sits on the world’s largest crude oil reserves, has been battling with political instability and tensions with neighbours.

The CIA has also been increasing its operations and has reportedly conducted a drone strike earlier this month targeting a port facility on Venezuela’s coastline.

The US has targeted over 30 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean as part of what it claims is an anti-narcotics operation.

The hope remains that diplomacy prevails, but history shows how quickly that hope can unravel.