The Inevitable World War III

The Fall of Russia, North Korea, and the Rebirth of Global Power in the 2040s

The Seeds of Global Conflict Are Already Sown

History is not a collection of isolated events—it is a pattern, a cycle of power shifts, wars, collapses, and rebirths. Just as World War I reshaped Europe and World War II defined the modern global order, World War III is inevitable. The question is not if, but when—and more importantly, who will emerge on top?

The 2040s will be the decade where everything changes. The Great Reset of the 2030s, triggered by economic collapse and AI-driven societal transformation, will lay the foundation for the next global power struggle. But this time, the war will not be centered around Europe. Unlike the previous world wars, this one will be driven by America’s unchecked dominance, China’s forced transformation, and the collapse of authoritarian regimes like Russia and North Korea.

By the 2040s, the old world order will be dead. The balance of power will not be the same. Nations that seemed invincible will fall, while new players will rise from the ruins. And America—whether through recklessness, necessity, or ambition—will be at the heart of it all.

A Dying Empire’s Last Breath

Russia is already collapsing—it just hasn’t hit rock bottom yet. The war in Ukraine was not just a geopolitical conflict; it was a sign of deeper structural decay. Russia is a dying empire, propped up by oil, military posturing, and an aging population. By the 2040s, it will no longer be a major player.

Why Russia Will Fall:

• Economic Collapse: Sanctions, brain drain, and resource depletion will cripple its economy. Russia is not a true economic superpower—it’s a petrostate with nukes.

• Population Decline: Russia’s demographic crisis is irreversible. It does not have the workforce to sustain itself.

• Internal Fragmentation: With the collapse of central power, regions like Siberia and the Caucasus may seek independence, leading to internal conflicts.

• Chinese Influence: As Russia weakens, China will expand its control over Siberia’s vast resources, effectively making Russia a vassal state.

When Russia collapses, it will not go quietly. Its vast nuclear arsenal and political instability make it the most dangerous failing state in modern history. A desperate Russian government, cornered and humiliated, may trigger the war that finally ends its existence.

A Regime That Can’t Survive the 2040s

North Korea has been on borrowed time for decades. The Kim dynasty only survives through absolute control, fear, and the illusion of strength. But by the 2040s, AI-driven global intelligence, advanced surveillance, and the economic dominance of an automated world will make secrecy and isolation impossible.

What Will Bring Down North Korea?

• Economic Starvation: As automation eliminates the need for cheap labor, North Korea’s ability to sustain itself through illegal trade, cybercrime, and military extortion will collapse.

• Technological Infiltration: AI and satellite surveillance will completely expose North Korea’s internal weaknesses, leading to mass defections and internal unrest.

• Chinese Betrayal: China, once North Korea’s protector, will have no incentive to prop up a rogue nuclear state when it threatens regional stability.

When North Korea falls, South Korea will be forced to absorb the ruins, creating a massive geopolitical crisis. China will attempt to influence the transition, while America will likely seize the opportunity to solidify its military presence in Asia. This move will escalate tensions and push the world closer to a global conflict.

From Communist Superpower to Post-AI Empire

China in the 2040s will not be the same China we see today. The Communist Party’s authoritarian control is fundamentally incompatible with an AI-driven, automated world. Either China will adapt, or it will collapse.

The Two Possible Paths for China:

1. A Controlled Evolution into a Technocratic AI State

• The CCP will maintain control but will transition into an AI-driven, hyper-efficient autocracy.

• A new social contract will emerge where AI monitors every aspect of life, eliminating corruption but enforcing total obedience.

• The military will be the most advanced in the world, with fully autonomous drone armies and cyberwarfare supremacy.

• China will no longer expand through land but through digital and economic dominance, controlling financial and technological infrastructure worldwide.

2. Collapse and Fragmentation

• The internal contradictions of China’s economy (aging population, real estate collapse, wealth inequality) will cause mass uprisings.

• The government will lose control, leading to a second Chinese civil war.

• The country will split into multiple regional powers, with some areas aligning with America and others with a new Asian bloc.

Regardless of which path China takes, it will no longer be America’s direct rival. Either it transforms into a new kind of superpower, or it fractures.

The Second Dark Age Before Rebirth

Unlike in past world wars, Europe will not be the center of this conflict. Instead, it will be a broken region struggling to rebuild after decades of stagnation and cultural decline.

What Will Happen to Europe?

• The EU Will Weaken or Break Apart: Economic instability and immigration tensions will shatter European unity.

• A Shift to Localism: Cities and regional economies will become more important than nation-states.

• A Rebirth After the War: Like after WWII, a new Europe will emerge from the ashes—smaller, more focused, and more meritocratic.

Europe will not be the instigator of WWIII, but it will suffer its consequences. The war will leave it vulnerable, forcing it to undergo a painful but necessary transformation.

Why the U.S. Will Dominate the Post-War World

If the 2040s lead to global war, America will be the reason it starts. Unlike past wars driven by European power struggles, WWIII will be triggered by America’s unchecked dominance and the economic pressures of The Great Reset.

Why America Will Be the Center of the Next War:

• Technological Supremacy: The U.S. will lead AI, quantum computing, and automated warfare, making it impossible for traditional nations to compete.

• Resource Control: America’s control over food production, energy, and digital infrastructure will force rival nations into conflict.

• Military-Industrial Expansion: The collapse of Russia and North Korea will give the U.S. total military dominance, allowing it to reshape global power structures.

The war will not be fought on American soil. Instead, the U.S. will use AI-driven drone warfare, space-based military dominance, and cyber offensives to control the battlefield without mass casualties.

When the war ends, America will emerge as the undisputed leader of the new global order. The world will be reshaped in its image—but at a cost.

The War That Will Reshape Everything

World War III is not a matter of if but when. The collapse of Russia and North Korea, the transformation of China, and the dominance of an AI-driven America will make global conflict inevitable.

By the 2040s, the world will be unrecognizable.

• Old empires will fall.

• Nations will merge, fragment, and realign.

• The war will not be fought with soldiers, but with AI, automation, and economic warfare.

• When the dust settles, America will be stronger than ever, but at the cost of global instability.

This war will not be about ideology—it will be about who controls the future. And in the end, only those who adapt to the new world will survive.

By Noel | Fowklaw

References

1. Russia’s Economic and Demographic Decline

• Galeotti, M. (2019). We Need to Talk About Putin: How the West Gets Him Wrong. Ebury Press.

• Hill, F., & Gaddy, C. G. (2013). Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin. Brookings Institution Press.

• Re-Reussia.net (2024). “Russia’s Demographic Crisis: A Ticking Time Bomb.” Online Article

2. North Korea’s Future Instability and Potential Collapse

• Lankov, A. (2013). The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia. Oxford University Press.

• The Climate Security Center (2021). “Converging Crises in North Korea: Security, Stability, and Climate Change.” Policy Report

3. China’s Future Transformation

• Economy, E. (2018). The Third Revolution: Xi Jinping and the New Chinese State. Oxford University Press.

• McGregor, R. (2019). Xi Jinping: The Backlash. Lowy Institute Press.

• Bofit.fi (2024). “China’s Population Decline and Economic Growth Projections.” Economic Analysis

4. The Future of Europe Post-2040 Reset

• Garton Ash, T. (2016). Free Speech: Ten Principles for a Connected World. Yale University Press.

• Münchau, W. (2021). Europe’s Crisis of Democracy: A Journey Through the Deep State. Polity Press.

5. America’s Role in Future Global Conflicts and Military Domination

• Kagan, R. (2012). The World America Made. Knopf Doubleday.

• Friedman, G. (2009). The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century. Doubleday.

• National Intelligence Council (2021). Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World. Government Report