The Third World War on the Horizon?

Analyzing Key Political and Military Movements That Could Spark a New Global Conflict and Examination of Escalating International Tensions and Defense Strategies

                        This picture is the property of the author, and it is made with an AI program

Introduction

When we look at recent global events, it is hard not to wonder what is really happening. Has the world truly lost its mind? Is it possible that longtime allies now quarrel and threaten one another as if they were bitter enemies?

Europe—once the voice of reason and a stalwart of democracy—is now discussing nuclear deterrence, arming itself to the teeth, and earmarking billions of euros for weapons. Meanwhile, my country, Croatia—part of the European Community—is planning to build new factories for ammunition and grenades.

In Poland, ammunition factories are reportedly struggling to meet demand, with workers forced to run three shifts in order to produce enough rounds.

The United States, which until recently was considered a key ally of Europe, now—under President Trump, described by some as “more unpredictable than a tornado”—seems to have taken an entirely different view on alliances and NATO.

According to this narrative, Trump halted military aid to Ukraine and stopped sharing crucial security information needed for the war, while also threatening Russia with sanctions if it did not cease fire.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is said to be warning the entire world with nuclear threats, particularly targeting European nations that might side with Ukraine.

In a dramatic turn, Ukrainian President Zelensky is claimed to have been humiliated in the Oval Office during a visit to America, prompting him to turn to Europe—old-new allies alike—for help in arming and supplying his country.

The global situation has deteriorated markedly since President Trump assumed office and began his “MAGA” policy. New tariffs and controversial ideas seem to emerge daily, as if constantly dictated by Trump’s unpredictable agenda.

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News of Near World War III

We are bombarded with such news from every medium—television, the internet, and newspapers alike.

Everyone has an opinion and their own perspective, yet one fact stands out: uncertainty and fear of potential conflict are spreading everywhere.

Never before has the world experienced such instability—not since the days preceding World War II, a conflict whose devastation we all remember.

War has brought nothing but misery, yet it appears that nations are now arming themselves and preparing for conflict. History teaches us that when weapons pile up, it is only a matter of time before they are put to use.

When we consider the current global political climate from every angle and take into account the daily shifts on the world stage, the outlook seems grim.

Every power is aligning itself, demonstrating its might, and showing its teeth. Instead of sitting together to resolve the Ukrainian conflict—the very crisis said to have ignited all this tension—no one wants to appear weak or give in first.

When the political situation becomes this heated, and so many states are drawn into the debate, history suggests that war is often the inevitable outcome.

This isn’t about a localized conflict like the one between Russia and Ukraine; it is portrayed as a potential global war of catastrophic proportions.

Add nuclear armaments into the mix, and we might be looking at an event that could wipe out the civilization we know.

Conclusion

Is it really true that nothing can be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy? It appears so since nobody seems willing to talk—even though many claim they are open to discussions. Instead, every leader insists on steering the conversation and determining the fate of the world.

Putin is defending Russia’s interests and its borders against NATO; Zelensky is defending Ukraine against Putin; Europe is defending both Ukraine and itself against Russia; and Trump—who claims to want peace—is depicted as having fanned the flames, allegedly determined to fulfill his pre-election promise by ending the war in Ukraine within 24 hours.

In short, absolute chaos seems to reign on all fronts—political, military, and even in the media, which churns out news every minute while struggling to keep up with events that change by the second.
For ordinary people, mere pawns in this game of giants, the only hope is to stay informed, keep a clear head and one's head on one's shoulders, and be thankful if everything does not culminate in an all-out war.
https://cryptonftworlds.blogspot.com/2025/03/global-surge-of-right-wing-politics.html
https://cryptonftworlds.blogspot.com/2025/02/chinas-new-silk-road-redefining-global.html

China’s New Silk Road: Redefining Global Trade

From Ancient Caravan Routes to Modern Geopolitical Shifts, China’s Bold Strategy Amid Global Climate Shifts

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This post can be read in Tocsin Magazine and all Medium members can read the full article here.

Introduction

I know today is Monday and that the original plan was to discuss artificial intelligence. However, after covering that topic extensively, it seems fitting to shift our focus.

Today’s discussion revolves around China’s New Silk Road, the consequences of melting polar caps, and the emerging possibility of new northern maritime routes — that we will call the New Maritime Silk Road.

History of the Old Silk Road and the Objectives of the New One

You might be wondering why the term “Silk Road” is used. The name originates from the ancient network of caravan routes that connected Europe with China.

The German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen, who lived in the 19th century, was the first to coin the term.

In contrast, today’s Silk Road is more symbolic than literal. Launched at the initiative of President Xi Jinping, it aims to position China as the world’s largest national economy by 2049 — the centennial of the People’s Republic of China. Few political figures have ever inspired as much hope — and concern — as President Xi with his “One Belt, One Road” initiative.

This mega-project is now considered the largest transnational infrastructure effort, linking approximately 60% of the world’s population. Some estimates suggest that it will soon account for 40% of global trade.

By 2020, about €124 billion had already been invested, with early agreements signed with Russia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, and my country Croatia.

New Northern Maritime Routes and Environmental Change

In addition to expanding its influence overland, China is exploring new avenues via northern maritime routes.

As the polar ice caps recede, once impassable shipping lanes are now emerging.

With diminishing ice, maritime trade through these northern routes becomes increasingly viable and safe — eliminating the old fears of drifting icebergs reminiscent of the Titanic disaster.

Source: Istock photos

Criticism of the New Silk Road Initiative

While some nations have warmly welcomed China’s new strategy, others — most notably the USA and Japan — view the initiative with suspicion.

These countries fear that expanding Chinese influence and securing access to global markets could upset the regional balance.

They warn that massive investments might lead to a “debt trap” for nations that borrow heavily from China, thereby increasing Beijing’s political and economic leverage.

In Europe, concerns arise over potential political dependency and the risk that Chinese business practices and standards could undermine European autonomy and security. Environmental groups and local communities have raised alarms that increased traffic through sensitive Arctic and ecologically fragile regions could result in pollution and damage to local ecosystems.

Support for the Initiative

Countries along the route — especially those with underdeveloped infrastructure in Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East — see the New Silk Road as an opportunity to modernize their transport networks, boost logistics, and attract foreign investment. Several Eastern European nations, which have already signed agreements with China, are equally hopeful about the benefits.

Germany, one of China’s major trading partners, supports the project, while Italy became the first G7 country to join the initiative in March, despite objections from Brussels and Washington.

As seen, the New Silk Road sparks debate on every continent. While some view it as the future of global trade, others criticize it as a neocolonial tool designed to make poorer nations dependent on Chinese loans, thereby setting the stage for potential exploitation.

Conclusion

China’s bold strategy has already spurred economic growth in many Central Asian and African countries — a surge that, until recently, was unimaginable.

Yet, as projects in Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, and Pakistan face cancellations or prolonged negotiations, critical voices are growing louder.

One fact remains clear: with the New Silk Road enshrined as a national goal in the Chinese Constitution since 2017, China is poised to reshape the global trade map.

Let us hope that, one day, the greater good will prevail over self-interest and that this cooperation yields tangible benefits. After all, hope is the last thing to fade.

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Scammers and Online Frauds

How to Stay Safe in the Digital Age, How to Protect Yourself, and How to Recognize a Scammer-The Guide to Your Online Safety

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This post can be read in Tocsin Magazine and all Medium members can read the full article here.

Introduction

As mentioned in my previous article on earning money online in 2025, today’s piece focuses on scammers and online fraud.

The internet is full of people with bad intentions. It’s a risky place not only for those who are careless but even for the cautious, as fraudsters continuously hone their methods and devise new schemes to steal your hard-earned money.

Many readers might think that these scams only happen to others — those who are reckless or who visit suspicious or adult websites. Unfortunately, that’s far from the truth. Even as you read this, scammers could be watching and waiting to strike.

How Do They Do It?

How is that possible, you’re probably wondering, and why me?

Well, it’s possible because in this day and age of social media, all your data is available to almost everyone and, what’s most ridiculous is that you’re happy to share it with everyone, including scammers.

Today, scammers hardly have to try to find your email, your data, or your interests, because you post it all on social media, along with pictures of you and your entire immediate and extended family, your dog, cat, canary, and all your friends.

That’s the cunning way scammers get your data today.

All that’s left for scammers to do is find a way to use all that data and direct it to scam you and your family.

Common Types of Online Frauds

• Phishing

One of the most prevalent scams, phishing involves fraudsters sending counterfeit emails or messages that appear to originate from legitimate companies or institutions — such as banks or e-commerce sites.

Their goal is to trick you into revealing personal details like usernames, passwords, or credit card numbers. These messages often include malicious links that lead to fake websites, which closely mimic the real ones, prompting you to enter sensitive data like bank account numbers, PINs, or even cryptocurrency wallet phrases.

• Vishing (Voice Phishing)

In this variant, scammers use phone calls to deceive you. They typically pose as bank representatives or officials from other institutions, claiming there is an urgent issue with your bank account, computer, or credit card.

The sense of urgency they create can compel you to quickly provide your PIN or other confidential information — under threat of account suspension, lost funds, or missing a lucrative opportunity.

This picture is the property of the author, and it is made with an AI program

• Romance Scam

This is a type of long-term scam that takes place on online dating sites that requires a lot of patience, but also a lot of cunning, because it plays on the deepest human feelings such as love, infatuation, or the desire for a romantic relationship and marriage.

In this scam, the scammer feigns deep infatuation with the person he wants to scam and lures her with promises of love happiness, or marriage until he gains her complete trust and the person really falls in love with the character the scammer has created.

They use fake photos, bogus social media profiles, and sometimes even ambient sound clips to simulate real-life scenarios, like being at an airport or in a hospital.

Once they’ve secured your trust, they begin asking for money to cover “expenses” such as travel tickets — starting small and then gradually increasing. Over time, these requests increase, and the victim finds it hard to accept that the person on the other end isn’t genuine.

• Investment Scams

These scams involve bogus investment offers, pyramid schemes, or proposals that promise high returns with minimal risk.

Fraudsters lure victims with the prospect of enormous profits only to extract as much money as possible before disappearing without a trace. With the rise of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, such schemes have gained popularity.

While trading cryptocurrencies can indeed be profitable, it should be done only on authorized and verified exchanges — not by handing your money over to dubious operators promising overnight riches.

• Tech Support Scam

In this scam, fraudsters contact you by phone, claiming to be from the technical support team of a well-known software company (for example, Microsoft).

If you believe them, they assert that your computer is infected with malicious software and offer to fix the “problem.” They may then demand payment for a non-existent repair or instruct you to install remote-control software like TeamViewer.

Once they gain access to your computer, they can steal your passwords, valuable documents, photos, videos, and even banking details if you use online banking. With control over your webcam and microphone, they can further invade your privacy by monitoring or recording you.

Conclusion

In addition to the scams outlined above, many others exist — ranging from fake online shopping sites, lottery and sweepstakes scams, and business email compromise (BEC) scams to ransomware attacks and beyond.

Every day, new scams emerge as fraudsters adapt to evolving technology and innovative methods to deceive their targets.

Be vigilant when navigating the internet. Remember the old adage: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Protect your personal information and your hard-earned money at all costs.

Stay safe online, and always verify the legitimacy of any request for your personal or financial information.

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Greetings and until my next article!

Neo77