Category Archives: Ww3

Former US president Donald Trump lashed out at his successor Joe Biden on Sunday during his first speech since leaving the White House. The Republican criticised Mr Biden saying we all knew the Biden administration was going to be bad, but none of us even imagined just how bad they would be. But aside from recent hints about Mr Trump gunning to take Mr Biden down in 2024, what other conflicts are top priorities for the Democrat?

President Joe Biden has now been in office for more than a month, but his political agenda is only just coming into focus.

Right out of the gate, President Biden identified two main priorities: fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting inclusive economic recovery.

But as the country attempts to grapple with this rampant virus, many other priorities will become central to his political agenda.

Express.co.uk speaks to global economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit Cailin Birch about which conflicts are a top priority for the 46th US leader and which are at the greatest risk of escalating.

READ MORE:Jill Biden doesnt understand mania around fashion choice

Cailin Birch said Mr Biden is likely to focus on reducing US military presence abroad.

Ms Birch told Express.co.uk: Broadly, we expect the Biden administration to take a more multilateral approach than the US has in recent decades while seeking to minimise its military engagements abroad.

However, Mr Biden is also likely to honour the US's existing security partnerships and remain engaged in current conflicts, if withdrawal would risk deteriorating conditions on the ground.

An example of the latter is in Afghanistan, where we no longer expect the US troop presence to be completely wound down, as the former president, Donald Trump, had previously ordered.

Despite focusing on the withdrawal of US military presence abroad, Ms Birch believes the US will be required to monitor several ongoing conflicts.

She said: That said, there are a handful of brewing conflicts that the administration will continue to monitor.

The first is the heightened risk of conflict with Iran, as part of ongoing regional proxy battles in the Middle East.

For example, the US conducted targeted missile strikes on a convoy of Iranian-aligned Iraqi militias operating in Syria on February 25.

These were retaliatory strikes, which followed recent attacks on US interests in Iraq, which the US government believes were conducted by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.

According to the Global Conflict Tracker from the Council on Foreign Relations, there are an estimated 500 US troops in Syria and 2,500 US military personnel in Iraq.

Ms Birch added the US and Iranian relations have worsened in the last year and therefore it is a top priority for Mr Biden.

In the past few years, tensions between the US and Iran have escalated, with the nations having had no formal diplomatic relations since April 1980.

Since 1995, the United States has had an embargo on trade with Iran and during Donald Trumps term as president, relations between the two nations worsened with war almost breaking out during the 2019/2020 Persian Gulf crisis.

Under the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, the US and other world powers agreed to lift crippling economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for limits on the country's nuclear program.

Former US leader Mr Trump pulled the country out of the deal in 2018 and reimposed those sanctions.

The worsening of relations between the US and Iran could have global economic, political and security implications.

If military conflict were to break out, Iran could try to block the Strait of Hormuz, a region responsible for the passage of 30 percent of the worlds oil.

This would have a resultant impact on global oil prices.

The economist added Mr Biden has made it clear he intends to de-escalate tensions with Iran.

She told Express.co.uk: Tit-for-tat attacks between US forces and Iranian proxies in the region have multiplied in the last year.

It is likely they will continue in the coming months, even as the US and Iranian government attempt to reopen discussions over Iran's nuclear programme.

Mr Biden has made it clear that he would like to de-escalate tensions with Iran, and potentially ease US sanctions if a new nuclear accord can be reached.

However, we expect little real progress to be made in the next six months, and the risk of isolated, tit-for-tat attacks in the region remains very high.

Continued here:

WW3 hotspots: Which conflicts are top priorities for Joe Biden? - Daily Express

It has been just over four months since Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War released. Already, rumors are circulating about what the next Call of Duty title will be. It is currently thought that Sledgehammer Games is developing the next game in the Call of Duty franchise. The last time fans saw the first person shooter made by Sledgehammer Games was in 2017. This was when Call of Duty: WWII launched. Allegedly, the developers will be taking players back to this era in Call of Duty: 2021, according to a leak.

A Call of Duty leaker who has proven to be reliable in the past shared a hint of what they heard about the new game. Victor_Z posted an image on Twitter of the Call of Duty: WWII cover art. The image is captioned with the hammer emoji. The assumption is that the hammer emoji is a direct reference to Sledgehammer Games. However, the purpose of the image is not fully clear.

A fan responded to the tweet by the leaker, questioning if the next title would be WW3. Victor_Z simply stated WW2. Perhaps fans could expect a direct sequel to Call of Duty: WWII or just another game set in this time period. Understandably, the response to the rumor has been mixed among the Call of Duty community. Although many players enjoyed WWII, the game was not to everybodys taste. In addition, this time period has been covered many times over the years.

Currently, the accuracy of these rumors is unknown. Players can only know for certain what to expect from Call of Duty: 2021 when Activision provides confirmation. It is still unknown why Sledgehammer Games didnt release a title in 2020, causing Treyarch to step in. As it has been four years since this teams last title, hopefully the extra time allows Sledgehammer Games to create a game that players enjoy.

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Call of Duty: 2021 leak suggests the game will link to World War II - PC Invasion

You know how, especially in recent years, people have been screaming about the bees disappearing. Well, obviously this cry gets lost in the politics, global pandemic, looming WW3 terrors, and others. However, the mysterious, although probably global warming related, disappearance of the worlds greatest pollinators is already causing massive fear in the agriculture sector, and beyond.

Farmers are being challenged with feeding an ever growing population while beehives dwindle in numbers. With around 75% of world crops reliant on insect pollination, this problem must be solved to meet rising food demand, in addition to keeping competitive prices.

There are more than a few Israeli startups innovating in bee care and maintenance, but this Israeli company is looking at solution to replace bees altogether. Agtech startup Edete Precision Technologies for Agriculture, or Edete for short, has developed an artificial pollinator system that looks to replace insect reliance, and provide food security, at least until we figure this whole honeybee thing out. Edetes system combines a software-hardware solution that collects flowers, separates pollen from the anthers and other flower parts, resulting in pure pollen.

The company explains that by using its system, growers can optimize crop pollination for higher quality yield with machinery that can be deployed both day and night, and at extreme temperatures. The best genetically fit pollen is applied on the target trees using the companys unique robotic pollination system, which uses a combination of technologies to disperse an optimal dosage of pollen on the target flowers for effective pollination.

The global almond market is estimated at over $7 billion annually. With growers spending hundreds of millions of dollars annually on beehive services alone, costs are rising. Edete enters the game to provide farmers with a smarter solution than waiting for the bees to return, while also reducing accompanied costs to honeybee maintenance. According to Keren Mimran, co-founder and VP of Business Development, Edetes pollinating powers arent limited to just almonds, but can also be used to pollinate pistachios, apples, cherries, pears, plums, among others.

The companys technology has already been successfully tested in Israel with almond farmers, and now sets off to Australia, more specifically Victoria state, to begin commercial scale field trials of its artificial pollination technology. The trial will cover dozens of hectares of almond orchards, and is expected to launch in August when almond trees begin to blossom. Australia is the second largest almond producer in the world and continues to increase acreage under cultivation in a way that makes the country a key proving ground for us, said Mimran.

Furthermore, the company reports that it plans on implementing its technology in a California trial as well, potentially providing a pollination alternative to the states 7,400 almond growers.

Edete was founded in 2016 by CEO Eylam Ran, Keren Mimran, Chairman Ori Inbar, and Elad Etgar. The company has raised $6.2 million in pre-seed and Seed rounds, and plans to land their Series A this year to help support U.S. market penetration.

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Move over honeybees: Edete takes artificial pollination to Australia - Geektime

After Mr Bidens administration reaffirmed its defence of Taiwan, close to 30 Chinese jets entered into its airspace on Saturday and Sunday. The Chinese government has now accused Taiwan forces of deliberately provoking China to seek secession. Speaking this week, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Zhu Fenglian said: We will not renounce the use of force and reserve all options.

This will never change at any time.

Despite the Chinese military conducting drills often in the Taiwan Strait, it has maintained any actions are required to maintain peace in the region.

The Communist Party has also issued stern warnings to any state, namely the US, which has allegedly interfered in the South and East China Seas.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt was deployed to the South China Sea just days after Mr Bidens inauguration.

It was this deployment which caused China to dispatch a raft of military aircraft across the strait.

State Department spokesman, Ned Price said the US would continue to maintain its ties with Taiwan.

He said: The United States notes with concern the pattern of ongoing PRC attempts to intimidate its neighbours, including Taiwan.

"We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected representatives."

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Although the administrations have switched in Washington, new Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken voiced his approval over Donald Trumps handling of China.

Speaking to a Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he said: Let me just say that I also believe that President Trump was right in taking a tougher approach to China.

"I disagree very much with the way that he went about it in a number of areas, but the basic principle was the right one, and I think that's actually helpful to our foreign policy.

Mr Blinken, who served as a deputy National Security Advisor and Deputy Secretary of State under Mr Obama, has also revealed the US must return as a global leader to the world and called for a unified approach to tackling Beijing.

He told staff today: Americas leadership is needed around the world, and we will provide it, because the world is far more likely to solve problems and meet challenges when the United States is there.

America at its best still has a greater capacity than any other country on earth to mobilise others for the greater good.

The US has already increased its naval presence in the region and has even strengthened ties with Australia, India and Japan.

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WW3 fears: Xi vows he will never renounce use of force over Taiwan jets just a warning - Daily Express

Men of War: Assault Squad 2 was released in 2014 but it still stands as an excellent tactical RTS game and war game, offering a layer of depththatsmore granular than its common rival Company of Heroes. Its not that the damage system is more realistic, but the games design is a bit more open-ended. You can summon in pre-set squads, or individual units to make and match your own fireteams.

There are also no bases you earn points at a steady rate throughout a match, and simply summon the units you want from a list. These new recruits will then appear at your friendly edge of the map. If youre looking for a more frantic and in depth WW2 tactical war game, there are few better and its inspired a great mod community around it.

From Star Wars and 40k, WW1 to modern warfare, theres a creative and diverse selection of Men of War: Assault Squad 2 mods to give you something new to play around with. Many of them are focused on multiplayer, but theres a surprising amount of decent single-player or skirmish content around now as well.

These are the best Men of War: Assault Squad 2 mods:

Games focusing so much on conflict can often be good candidates for realism mods, and Assault Squad 2 is no different. Robz Realism mod is actually a balance of more realistic mechanics and balancing, and is best played in multiplayer using 1944-45 units and settings.

The changes it implements are quite spread, and cover everything from a brand new accuracy and bullet drop model, to changing how units take damage. Instead of it being based on weapon power, its instead based on where a unit gets hit, and what they get hit by. There are also new maps, a new tank damage system, and weapon jamming.

Inspired by Robzs mod above, the Great War Realism mod shifts the action to the first world war that attempts to provide the same attention to detail and realistic gameplay as its WW2 cousin. It currently has 11 fleshed out nations from the period, although the basic mod is aimed at multiplayer.

There is however a collection of mods you can check out that provide missions, as well as tailor gameplay to specific theatres during specific years, which will limit the types of units you can use.

Previously known as the Ultimate Mod Warhammer 40K, this is a complete reskin of Assault Squad 2 for the Warhammer 40K universe. It features most factions, although notable missing ones include the Necrons and the Tyranids. Theres no timetable for when theyll be included at the moment.

Still, thats a lot of 40K goodness to mess around with, and theres content for solo and co-op missions as well. About the only truly weird thing is that, despite teleporting you to the grim darkness of the far future, youre still battling in mid 20th century Europe. Still, itll do!

Despite its title, Born in Fire: America actually covers warfare across the 18th and 19th centuries, in both American and Europe. The American War of Independence is a main inspiration, but British colonial conquests also seem to feature.

This mod has over 50 multiplayer factions, with 1000+ land units, accurate city maps and historical battles. Theres three core missions for the American continental army, as well as bonus missions covering everything from the Alamo, to the Zulu War. You can find the Moddb linkhere.

No strategy game mod list would be complete without the obligatory Star Wars mod, and Men of Wars community doesnt disappoint. Galaxy at War aims to offer an experience that covers material from the Clone Wars right through to the end of Return of the Jedi.

There are only a handful of missions, and there is some limited multiplayer support but it only includes infantry units and speeders for the moment. Four factions are currently supported, namely the CIS, the Empire, Rebels and then Republic forces split across a number of sub-factions.

The cold war, and a future WW3 style setting are excellent fodder for a game like Men of War. I dont think Id ever have predicted that someone would actually port the missions from the popular Call of Duty games into a real-time tactical game like this, though.

Call of Duty WW3 takes the mission dialogue from games like Modern Warfare 1 & 2, and recreates the missions they are from but as Assault Squad 2 maps. There are 15 missions, with co-op support for up to eight players, as well as an impressive set of additional changes associated with this mod. You should check it out.

Mods that cover other eras or offer gameplay tweaks arent the only options though. The Men of War series is a bit fragmented, but theres been some semi-decent solo content released across various standalone spin-offs that have come out over the years.

Various modders havedone some great work porting those missions into Assault Squad 2, so you have all of the narrative content in one place:

There is also a mod that attempts to recreate the WW2 Call of Duty games missions in Men of War, using dialogue from original two games.

Thankfully, Assault Squad 2 has had Steam Workshop integration for a long while now, which makes intalling mods easy.Many of the major mods seem to maintain Steam versions as the primary one. That said, there are mods on ModDB that arent on Steam, and one or two mods that use the repository as the main source.

More like this:The best WW2 games on PC

If you do grab a mod via Moddb, make sure you follow the instructions specific to the mod you want. As a general rule, youll be unzipping the mod files to your mod folder, which you may need to create in themain install directory if one doesnt exist already. You then activate them via the in-game menu.

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The best Men of War: Assault Squad 2 mods - PCGamesN

Dont worry folks, what you see in the cover photo is only an idea, a concept if you will, and hasnt actually seen the light of day, yet. Its quite possible that this idea may never actually manifest. Definitely not under the Renault brand thats for sure. Thats just for show.

What we see is called the Renault Takapo, apparently named after a lake in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, and is from the mind of two gentlemen by the names of Dong Ju Jeon and GyuWan Kim, two students at Chung Ang University in South Korea - the Korea that makes your Samsung phone, and not WW3.

Before you start bagging on how it looks like the newest gaming console or a shaving razor, take into account that beyond the bodywork, like any good concept, this one too expresses one tech idea or another. The Takapo even showcases hardware inspired by NASA.

Saying that the body design is odd is an understatement. First off, where the heck are the wheels? Oh, yeah there they are. If we look closely at the front of the car, whichever that may be, we can see a couple of what may look like wheels on the interior of the car. However, thats all we get, just a visual representation. There's nothing offered by the designers to sustain any of these assumptions.

Even the idea that this car is autonomous is just an assumption. But like any educated guess or hypothesis, the idea that the Takapo is autonomous is based on something. That something is the positioning of the windshield. Unlike modern-era vehicles that include a forward-facing windshield, here we find that windshield on the top of the car, very much like other autonomous designs.

The Takapo is a bit different in that there is absolutely nothing to do inside but chill. I wonder if theyve got Netflix hooked up, standard. However, the way youll be chilling is absolutely next level. Inspired by NASA Zero Gravity chairs, the designers choose to employ a similar idea as to offer passengers a feeling of weightlessness while cruising to their destination.

Lets imagine this for a moment. Wherever youre sitting right now, just close your eyes and imagine youre lying on a lounge chair. Now, imagine that chair is suspended in air. Thats basically the feeling the designers wanted to capture.

But is it enough to make it into a real car? Probably not. But its still one heck of a ride to imagine yourself in. Or maybe, just maybe, somebody gets a hold of that chair design and goes to town making their own. I dont know, ideas seem to be limitless these days.

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NASA-Inspired Takapo Could Be the Renault Concept of Our Future - autoevolution

The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a failed landing operation on the southwestern coast of Cuba by exiles of the country who opposed Fidel Castro's revolution. Covertly financed and directed by the US government, the operation took place at the height of the Cold War, and its failure led to major shifts in international relations between Cuba, the US, and the Soviet Union. The invasion's defeat solidified Castro's role as a national hero and strengthened the relationship between the USSR and Cuba, paving the way to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

Tensions between the US and the Soviet Union hit an all-time high during the 13-day standoff which most historians agree brought the world to the brink of nuclear disaster.

But Mr Ellwood fears history could repeat itself.

He told Express.co.uk: We dont know what is to come. but I think it is worse than the Cold War.

Obviously we had the Bay of Pigs and so forth, and tensions in Berlin.

But the situation that is going to get more dangerous is the use of tactical nuclear weapons for which we dont have any.

These are small nuclear weapons that can take out areas the size of a football pitch taking out a headquarters or a barracks completely wiping them out.

In 1952, the UK became the third country to develop and test nuclear weapons, and is one of the five nuclear-weapon states under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Under the 1963 Polaris Sales Agreement, the US supplied the UK with Polaris missiles and nuclear submarine technology which was later replaced with Trident.

Today, the delivery system consists of four Vanguard-class submarines based at HMNB Clyde in Scotland with at least one vessel always on patrol.

READ MORE:Iran 'to join forces' with China and Russia in devastating trio sparking WW3 fears

But Mr Ellwood says the UKs hands would be tied in the event a country used a tactical nuclear weapon.

He added: How do we respond if a tactical nuclear weapon was used in Eastern Europe and took out a number of British tanks taking part in an exercise?

You wouldnt retaliate with our nuclear warheads designed to take out whole cities it would not be a proportionate response.

So there are questions there about how that would escalate.

There are some dangers that the UK needs to grapple with.

In the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, the Trump administration announced its intention to expand the US nuclear arsenal under the doctrine of so-called flexible deterrence, including a tactical nuclear weapons upgrade.

The US is now believed to have an estimated 230 tactical nuclear weapons.

According to reports, Russia currently possesses the most tactical nuclear weapons on Earth with estimates placing the number between 3,000 and 6,000.

But that number is significantly down from its Soviet predecessor, which owned at least 13,000 and as many as 22,000 nuclear warheads by the end of the Cold War in 1991.

Listen to 'The Cold War Conversations Podcast'hereto find out more from host and presenter Ian Sanders about the tensions that lasted more than four decades.

See more here:

World War 3 escalation: Dangerous nuclear development dubbed worse than Bay of Pigs - Daily Express

Joe Biden: Jimmy Carter 'not attending inauguration' says expert

The incoming US President and his relationship with Putin was put to the test in the aftermath of Mr Biden's election win, with the Russian taking weeks to congratulate his counterpart. World leaders from across the globe were quick to react to Mr Biden's victory, which will see him formally take over from incumbent US President Donald Trump this month. It saw experts discuss how this relationship could develop, particularly as Mr Biden is a longtime critic of Russia, and Putin.

Although some saw Russia's delay in contacting Mr Biden as a negative, Konstantin Eggert, a Russian political commentator, said the move was "classic Putin", as it "proved that he's tough, strong, and ready to take the fight all the way to Washington".

In a telegraph Putin sent to Mr Biden, which was published across Russian state media, the Kremlin's leader said he had "confidence that Russia and the US can facilitate the resolution of many problems and challenges faced by the world now".

Yet, the previous history between Mr Biden and Putin demonstrates just how difficult a relationship this may be to manage.

While Vice President, Mr Biden routinely attacked Russia and its position as a powerhouse, particularly during the conflict between Moscow and Ukraine.

The row centred around the status of the Ukrainian regions of Crimea and Donbass, and how Russia annexed the former amid tensions with Kyiv.

In 2015, at the height of tension, Mr Biden announced sanctions on Russia after the West accused it of arming rebels in the Ukraine, and sending troops to the region.

He called on Putin to "make a simple, stark choice - get out of Ukraine, or face continued isolation and growing economic costs".

At the time, hundreds had been killed, a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report said, while violence has continued until the present day.

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Mr Biden argued the decision made by the US, and its then-President Barack Obama, was not an attempt to "weaken the Russian economy" but a warning shot to Putin.

He argued that Russia should be "judged by the action it takes on the ground" and not agreements it "signs on paper".

While speaking at a security conference in Germany, he added: "Given Russia's recent history, we need to judge it by its deeds, not its words.

"Don't tell us, show us, President Putin. Too many times President Putin has promised peace and delivered tanks, troops, and weapons."

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The Democrat was also critical of Putin following a meeting at the Kremlin nine years ago, where he told the Russian premier exactly what he thought about him.

According to the New Yorker, Mr Biden recalled having an interpreter show him around Putin's huge office, before he joked "it was amazing what capitalism will do".

Putin, who was Prime Minister at the time, then got a "few inches away" from Mr Biden's nose, before the then-Vice President said to the Russian: "I'm looking into your eyes, and I don't think you have a soul."

Reflecting on the moment, Mr Biden added: "He looked back at me, and he smiled, and he said, We understand one another.

Mr Biden has also been known to want to work with Russia, and in 2009 a Politico report confirmed that he wanted to "press the reset button" on ties between Washington and Moscow.

However, he rejected a move from Russia as it wished to halt further NATO expansion in Eastern Europe, something Moscow is vehemently opposed to, by demanding that "sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances".

Discussing how Russia and the US could move its relationship forward, Mr Eggert told NPR in December, that both will have to make compromises, adding: "For Putin, the priority always was to be seen as talking to the United States. And interestingly enough, in a very large measure, the Trump administration denied him this possibility.

"For him, being able to speak one-on-one with the United States is proof of Russia's superpower status and his global role."

Read the rest here:

Biden poised for bitter clash with Putin as future US President raised WW3 fears - Daily Express

Iran and the regional forces it backs have increasingly relied in recent years on drones to carry out attacks in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf. The semi-official Fars news agency said the Iranian Republican Guard was testing combat drones used as bombers, interceptors and in reconnaissance missions in a two-day exercise in central Semnan province.

Mohammad Baqeri, chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, said: "The fingers of our heroic armed forces are on the trigger, and if enemies commit the slightest mistake, the armed forces will surely respond fiercely."

The drills come after Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused Donald Trump of trying to find excuses to attack Iran in his last days in office and warned Israel might also try to provoke a fresh war in the Middle East.

The exercises coincided with increased tensions between Iran and the US two days after the first anniversary of the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike at Baghdad airport and two weeks before Joe Biden takes office.

Iran has developed a large domestic arms industry in the face of international sanctions and embargoes barring it from importing many weapons.

Western military analysts say Iran sometimes exaggerates its weapons capabilities, though concerns about its ballistic missiles contributed to Washington leaving the nuclear pact.

The Pentagon believes Iran-linked militia in Iraq have stepped up their surveillance of US troops and bases in the country by using off-the-shelf, commercially available drones.

READ MORE:World War 3: Warning of 'dire Iran counter-attacks' amid US tension

Beyond surveillance, Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can drop munitions and even carry out a kamikaze flight where they load it up with explosives and fly it into something.

Yemens Iranian-backed Houthis have significantly increased their UAV attacks in recent months, bombing airports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, a main rival of Iran.

Security analysts said the increased use of drones by Iran or its allies is a strategy aimed at pushing back and defending against pressure from the US and regional enemies such as Saudi Arabia and Israel.

One US official said: We have seen an uptick in drone activity in Iraq near our bases and facilities.

Certainly the drones that we have seen are more of the commercial off-the-shelf variant. So theyre obviously a deniable type UAV-activity in Iraq.

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WW3 fears: Iran warns 'fingers of heroic armed forces on trigger' after military display - Daily Express

London: World War Two underground Blitz shelter explored

World War 3 seemed like a genuine eventuality at the dawn of 2020 amid concerns sparked in January over the US-led assassination of Qasem Soleimani, a high-ranking Iranian official with the Revolutionary Guard's chain of command. At the time, people feared retaliative measures from the country's leadership following this and months of Trump administration sanctions. In the end, however, the feared escalation failed to materialise, and Covid-19 fears took over, halting discussions of World War 3.

Covid-19 has dominated the news for nearly a year, as the disease has now killed 1.84 million people.

While this isn't comparable to either of the two world wars - in which 20 and 75 million people died respectively - the pandemic has caused significant stress on international society.

The pressure has meant global governments have had to turn their gaze inwards to avert disaster, but a spirit of international cooperation has bloomed, overriding last year's hostile start.

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The pandemic also means analysts have not updated their snapshot picture of global tensions in nearly one year.

The most famous summary of global tension comes from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

The group of eminent academics has spent more than 75 years deciding the position of the "Doomsday clock", a physical representation of global tensions.

Notable events in international relations dictate the distance of the clock's hands to midnight, which depicts global catastrophe.

The final decision outlines whether the world faces a climate or atomic crisis, the latter of which comes closer to World War 3.

Currently, the world is at 100 seconds to midnight, according to the Bulletin's statement released last year on January 23.

Speaking about the prospect of nuclear war, they said at the time the national security situation was "dire".

They wrote: "In the nuclear realm, national leaders have ended or undermined several major arms control treaties and negotiations during the last year, creating an environment conducive to a renewed nuclear arms race, to the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and to lowered barriers to nuclear war."

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"Political conflicts regarding nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea remain unresolved and are, if anything, worsening.

"US-Russia cooperation on arms control and disarmament is all but nonexistent."

The Bulletin evaluation shifts, however, as the world can push the hand away from midnight.

They concluded: "The global security situation is unsustainable and extremely dangerous, but that situation can be improved if leaders seek change and citizens demand it."

"There is no reason the Doomsday Clock cannot move away from midnight.

"It has done so in the past when wise leaders acted, under pressure from informed and engaged citizens around the world.

"We believe that mass civic engagement will be necessary to compel the change the world needs."

To make decisions, Bulletin board members meet twice a year to evaluate risks and provide expert advice.

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World War 3: How close are we to World War 3? Risk analysis exposed - Daily Express