Are We Facing World War III with Nuclear Annihilation of All Humanity? Fear Growing in Europe, Particularly in Countries Where Intense War Advertisements Are Used to Boost Military Spending

 

Based on security reports and polling data from early 2026, the fear of a third world war is at its highest level in decades. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the Doomsday Clock to just 85–89 seconds to midnight, citing escalating global security risks, while polls suggest that a significant percentage of people in the U.S. and Europe consider a global conflict possible within the next five years.

 

Here is an objective breakdown of the current situation based on 2026 data:

 

1. Are We Facing World War III/Nuclear Annihilation?

 

    Highest Risk Since the Cold War: The collapse of major arms control treaties—notably the expiration of the New START treaty on February 5, 2026—means there are no legally binding limits on U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals for the first time in over 50 years.

    Escalating Conflicts: The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, along with tensions in the Middle East and East Asia, has led to a "third nuclear era," where nuclear weapons are openly discussed as tools of coercion rather than just deterrence.

 

    Low Probability, High Impact: Despite the rising fears, experts generally believe a direct, full-scale nuclear exchange remains unlikely due to the doctrine of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). However, the risk of a "miscalculation" or "escalation" from a conventional war is considered dangerously high.

 

2. Growing Fear in Europe

 

    Survey Data: Recent polls indicate that a majority of citizens in major European nations (UK, France, Germany, Italy) fear a third world war is possible, and many expect their country to be involved.

    Confidence Crisis: There is a strong feeling that European militaries are not prepared for a global conflict. Many Europeans have low confidence in their national militaries' ability to defend them without immediate U.S. support.

    Hybrid War Realities: European intelligence is warning that hybrid attacks—sabotage of pipelines, power grid disruptions, and cyberattacks—are already occurring, which increases the psychological feeling of being "at war" even without massive troop deployments.

 

3. Intense War Advertisements and Defense Spending

 

    Rearmament Drive: Since 2022, and accelerating into 2026, European governments have been heavily increasing defense spending, with the EU collecting roughly €381 billion in defense budgets by 2025–2026.

 

    Public Opinion Divided: While some populations support increased spending, this rapid, high-intensity rearmament is leading to growing social resistance. There is significant concern about public money being shifted from welfare and education to military hardware (e.g., Germany’s €100 billion procurement fund).

 

    The "War Mindset": Campaigns aiming to increase recruitment and boost defense spending are sometimes interpreted as propaganda, creating a tense atmosphere where the population feels constantly reminded of an impending threat.

 

Summary

We are living in a period of intense geopolitical anxiety where the risk of catastrophic escalation is higher than at any point since the peak of the Cold War. However, this does not make nuclear annihilation inevitable. The current situation is characterized by a "new normal" of tense deterrence, hybrid warfare, and a rapid, fearful military build-up in Europe.

 

 

"Residents of Western countries increasingly believe the world is heading towards World War III, according to a POLITICO survey conducted in the US, Canada, the UK, France, and Germany.

 

At the same time, opposition to increasing defense spending is growing.

 

In all five countries surveyed, the vast majority of respondents believe the world is becoming more dangerous. Americans, Canadians, the UK, and the French are more likely than a year ago to see the outbreak of World War III within five years.

The survey was conducted by Public First between February 6th and 9th, based on a sample of over 10,000 adults (at least 2,000 in each country). The margin of error is approximately ±2 percentage points.

"The change in mood in just one year shows how dramatically the sense of uncertainty has increased. War is perceived as a real threat, and alliances as less stable," assessed Seb Wride of Public First.

 

World War III by 2031? The biggest fears in the US and the UK

 

In the UK 43 Percent of respondents believe that a new world war is "likely" or "very likely" by 2031 (compared to 30% the year before). In the US, 46% of respondents share this view (up from 38%).

Of the countries analyzed, only Germany – as a whole – is more likely to consider a global conflict within the next five years unlikely.

Americans are the most likely among the surveyed nations to predict that their country could be drawn into war within five years. The British and French express similar concerns next.

At least one-third of respondents in the US, UK, France, and Canada believe there is a high risk of nuclear weapons being used in the coming years.

Russia as a Threat to the EU. The US is Pointed to as the Second Source of Risk

In Europe, Russia is considered the greatest threat to the EU. However, in Canada, many respondents indicated that US policy poses the greatest security threat. In France, Germany, and the UK, the United States was identified as the second most serious source of risk – more often than China.

A majority of respondents in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada also say their country should increase defense spending. Support for this approach is strongest in the United Kingdom and Canada.

However, enthusiasm drops significantly when asked about how military financing should be implemented. When respondents must choose between tax increases, increased public debt, and cuts in other areas of the budget, support for higher military spending drops significantly.

 

In France and Germany, there has been a marked decline in support for increasing defense budgets when costs are incurred. In 2025, 40% of French and 37% of Germans declared a willingness to support such spending (taking budget compromises into account). Currently, the figures are 28% and 24%, respectively.

 

In Germany, defense spending is among the least popular areas of public funding allocation, surpassed only by foreign aid.

 

The survey results also indicate skepticism about the concept of creating a standing EU army under a single command – an idea mentioned by the European Commission. Support for such a solution is 22% in Germany and 17% in France.”