Cold War tensions in certain parts of the World are resurfacing, as Russia and the US once again clash – this time over Ukraine. As a result, the public have been fretting about the possibility of another World War breaking out. Deterioration in alliances between certain countries have been particularly notable of late, especially as leaders compete to dmonstrate power. Most of the countries seeing pronounced problems border one another, but certain international communities are now also at odds.
Russia Vs Ukraine
Russia and Ukraine have most notably been at odds recently, with hostility from the Eastern European superpower directed towards sailors in the Crimea.
Two Ukrainian gunboats and a tug sailing to the port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov were stopped by Russian border guards.
The tugboat was rammed by a Russian ship, and as it attempted to escape was fired upon by FSB border guards.
The Ukrainian flotilla was seized by the FSB and 24 sailors are now being held for two months pre-trial detention at a Crimean court.
Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko implemented martial law in the border for 30 days, and requested the assistance of Nato ships in response, signalling still growing tensions after Russia seized the Crimea and a Ukrainian peninsula in 2014.
World War 3: Countries MOST LIKELY to go to war with each other in the next 5 years (Image: GETTY)
Saudi Arabia vs Iran
Saudi Arabia is another country which has recently been in the news, as the Crown Prince has been accused of ordering the death of Saudi-born journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The country is frequently embroiled in proxy clashes with nearby Iran, both being Muslim nations but following different sects, as Iran is Shia and Saudi Arabia Sunni.
The two are backing opposing parties in the Syrian conflict, with one standing behind the government and the other with rebels.
Iran has been supporting incumbent President Bashar Al Assad alongside Russia, and Saudi Arabia has supported the rebels.
The two countries are already clashing behind the scenes, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has been leading efforts to stem Iranian influence in neighbouring Yemen.
Israel vs Iran
Israel and Iran are among other sets of countries currently locked in a bitter proxy conflict against one another.
Iran and Israel first severed diplomatic and commercial ties following Iran’s 1979 revolution, without any outward hostility.
However, Iran has since supplied both political and military support to pro Palestine group Hamas, which is committed to the destruction of Israel by Jihad.
They also support militant organisation Hezbollah in much the same way, which is also committed to ending Israeli influence.
Allegedly, Israel has also supported the People’s Mujahedin of Iran, which hopes to overthrow Israeli leadership and place its own figures in power.
Saudi Arabia is known for its ongoing feud with Iran (Image: GETTY)
Pakistan vs India
Pakistan and India were once the ‘British Raj’, but the two countries were separated during partition in 1947, and relations from then on have deteriorated quickly.
Both countries have one main area of contention in the ownership of Kashmir, which has sparked three major conflicts between the countries in 1947, 1965 and 1999.
They have operated under ceasefire since 2003, but still exchange fire across their border, and skirmishes still continue, notably in 2016 and 2018.
Civilians are frequently caught in the crossfire as both countries feud, with thousands of both Indian and Pakistani people displaced and dozens dead.
Both governments have attempted numerous times to repair relations since then, but have failed after encouraging progress, once again falling into a conflict which could escalate at any given moment.
Trump and Jinping are waging an expensive trade war (Image: GETTY)
USA vs China
Donald Trump’s election as US President has seen relations with China in a downward spiral.
The President had once claimed global warming was a Chinese conspiracy and has since engaged in a bitter trade war with the country.
President Trump has set tariff levels of £157 billion ($200 billion) on Chinese imports, and President Jinping has responded in kind.
Xi Jingping has imposed an £88 billion ($113 billion) tarriff on US imports, and should this increase further, will become a serious threat to Trump’s political and economic standing.
The two are yet to descend into full-scale conflict, but tensions are liable to increase further.
Both are currently attending the G20 summit in Argentina, where relations between them could fall or fly.