Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a meeting at Kremlin in Moscow July 31, 2014.
And the likelihood that World War III could break out anytime is further heightened by the grim tone that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been sounding off lately. Putin, according to a former NATO head, is practically rattling "his nuclear sword."
Accidental start
In a statement issued by the European Leadership Network, composed of former defence executives from the United States, the United Kingdom , France and other leading nations, it was suggested that a major global conflict - one that involves nuclear weapons - could be triggered by an accident.
"Ready-to-use nuclear arms leave states vulnerable to accidental nuclear strikes, while insecurely stored stockpiles could potentially be targeted and stolen by terrorists," the group was reported byRT.com as saying.
Specifically, the group is alarmed that Iran is likely in the advanced state of developing nuclear capabilities and world leaders appear helpless about it. Also, the terror group Islamic State has been reported to have in its possession uranium compounds, obtained from Iraq, that can be used in making dirty bombs.
Plus the obvious threat coming from Russia, which to date has the most number of nuclear warheads that are ready to use.
All told, the group estimated that around 16,300 nuclear weapons are strategically deployed around the world, which spells out the grave risk with Armageddon proportion that humanity is facing.
"In a vestige of the cold war, too many nuclear weapons in the world remain ready to launch on short notice, greatly increasing the chances of an accident," the group declared, stressing that a global conflict could be sparked by an unintended push of a button.
Launch from the Kremlin
And such action could originate from Russia, according to retired U.S. navy admiral James Stavridis, who also served as NATO supreme commander in Europe from 209 to 2013.
Stavridis has expressed deep concerns that Putin is getting bolder by the day in challenging and testing the West's resolve over Ukraine, pointing to a recent statement of the Russian leaders that says "Russia's partners ... should understand it's best not to mess with us."
Reading Putin, one would readily conclude that he is all geared up for full-blown stand off or a new Cold War as characterised recently by former Soviet Union premier Mikhail Gorbachev, the one-time NATO chief said.
"The fact that President Putin chooses to rattle his nuclear sword should not cause us to draw back from assisting the Ukraine," Stavridis told The Guardian.
Stavridis called on the West to arm Ukraine for the former Soviet republic to repel threats coming from Russia.
Russia is facing economic sanctions by the United States and its NATO allies following's Putin's annexation of Crimea this year and his alleged support of separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine - flashpoints that many fear would trigger World War III, the highlight of which is a nuclear showdown that could wipe out humanity.
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