“Everyone is preparing for war. The only question is which side someone belongs to…”

By Onur Sinan Güzaltan

The phrases in the title of this article belong to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

The threat of a global war isn’t just on Vučić’s mind. But on everyone who’s been following world affairs even a little.

To better understand Vučić’s remarks, it’s worth recalling the developments that have recently taken place in global fault lines:

• At the Shanghai Cooperation Summit, Indian Prime Minister Modi declared his intention to deepen ties with Russia and China despite US pressure, and soon after the government in Nepal, a neighbor to both India and China, was toppled.
• The UK, Germany, and France have stepped up their statements and actions regarding a “war against Russia”.
• Poland and Romania, using Russian drones as an excuse, have called on NATO to intervene.
• Israel struck Palestinians in Qatar. (Later, under Trump’s urging, Netanyahu issued a public apology to Qatar.)
• Saudi Arabia signed a broad defense agreement with Pakistan. (There are reports that other countries in the region may join this agreement.)
• Iran-Egypt and Iran-Saudi Arabia have intensified their diplomatic exchanges.
• Israel has escalated its genocide in Gaza. (Following Trump’s so-called “peace”, in truth surrender plan, a temporary and uncertain ceasefire has been reached. Yet Hamas refuses to accept Trump’s demands to disarm and hand over Gaza’s administration to an international group of warlords like Tony Blair. Therefore, the ceasefire is unlikely to hold for long.)
• Israel’s threats against Türkiye are growing louder.
• Greece and Israel are ramping up their military buildup in southern Cyprus.
• Talks between the Colani administration in Syria and Israel have moved closer to an agreement.
• Türkiye and Egypt have announced plans to conduct joint military drills in the Eastern Mediterranean.
• In Türkiye, while President Erdoğan has signed extensive agreements with Trump on energy, trade, and other areas, his coalition partner, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has called for cooperation between Türkiye, Russia and China against the “US and Israel’s malice coalition”. So, political uncertainty is hanging over the country.
• In Scandinavia and then in Germany, there are reports of “unidentified drones” leading to temporary airspace restrictions.
• In Georgia, a “color revolution” reminiscent of Ukraine’s 2013–14 Maidan events has broken out. It’s clear that this attempted coup is part of the US/EU’s plan to open a new front against Russia in the Caucasus through Georgia.
• The likelihood of a new US/Israeli attack on Iran is rising. Washington continues to expand its military buildup in West Asia, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean.
• There are many signs that the US is preparing to overthrow Maduro’s government in Venezuela.
• And as a natural consequence of all this, gold prices keep climbing.

Yes, all these developments point to a major war rapidly approaching, even it is already underway.

Amid such rising global tensions, the US–Russia talks that began with Trump’s election and were formalized in Alaska are still ongoing.

Can these talks yield any meaningful results when contradictions have become so irreconcilable? Seems doubtful…

Can the anti-Russian governments in Europe survive much longer? Demonstrations and opinion polls suggest their days may be numbered. Yet it’s not impossible that these governments, increasingly detached from their own citizens’ demands, may try to cling to power through repression.

What would a possible US/Israeli attack on Iran lead to? How far would Russia and China go in supporting Tehran? And how would such an attack affect the fragile balance in Western Asia, particularly in Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen?

The answers to these questions will be crucial in determining which direction the coming period will take.

And yes… everyone seems to be preparing for the great war ahead.