Calm Down Everyone: There is No Risk of Global War Between US, Russia

Some worry that Russia’s anti-ISIL airstrikes in Syria might lead to a more serious military confrontation in the Middle East, including the possible scenario of an all-out World War, French diplomat and political analyst Eric Danon said, according to Le Point.

Although the world is full of localized military conflicts and crises that could potentially lead to large-scale armed confrontations, it doesn't mean that the majority of nations are ready to go to war. Right now, the world doesn't have similar factors that were present in Europe prior to both World Wars, Danon told Le Point in an interview.

"Let's avoid the use of clichés that cause anxiety! Currently, in our globalized world there are no conditions necessary for a global confrontation, thank God," Danon explained, adding that there is no need to make a mountain out of a molehill.

The difference between the present situation in the world and circumstances prior to the two world wars is the absence of a major superpower that has shown direct hostility towards another superpower. For example, we haven't heard Barack Obama planning to invade another big nation, such as China, India or Russia; meanwhile prior to World War II, Adolf Hitler openly spoke about taking over Europe and crushing the Soviet Union, the French diplomat explained.

The fact that right now we have both the United States and Russia present in Syria doesn't make the situation any different than how it was during the Cold War era when both of these nations confronted each other all over the world. In fact, the world isn't in more danger now than it was during the 1970s, for example, Danon said.

Russian airstrike won't create additional risk of confrontation between US and Russia

The Russian Air Force is in Syria, first and foremost, to defeat ISIL and other Islamic extremists. Both the United States and Russia want to crush ISIL, but that's the only common objective they have. That's why Washington and Moscow are not coordinating as much as they could, because at the same time they're competing against each other.

The stakes are high, but the winner will gain great influence in a lot of issues in the Middle East. The fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government depend on the US-Russia rivalry in Syria.

It will lead to complex situations and verbal arguments between Washington and Moscow, as the two countries have disagreements on some issues when it comes to Syria, but will it lead to a direct military confrontation between the United States and Russia? Certainly not, Danon explained.

With recent airstrikes on ISIL targets, Russia has decided to play a more important role in Syria, trying to actually solve the conflict that has been going for four and a half years now.

The logic of the Russian government is clear — one should support the government of al-Assad and his army, as it's the only force that can get rid of ISIL on the ground.

Since the US strategy of arming various factions of militants fighting against al-Assad failed and led to the destabilization of the entire region, it'd be a better idea now to support the Syrian government so it can at least get rid of ISIL.