World War III could be 18 months away if NATO fails to counter Russian threat, warns ex‑US commander

If nations do not perceive the threat from Russia as significant and fail to take suitable action within the Alliance, World War III could occur within 18 months, warns Ben Hodges, the ex-commander of US land forces in Europe.

The British "Daily Mail" quotes the cautionary words of the American general, which are in response to the leak of the secret document from the German Ministry of Defense.

"Bild" has revealed that the Bundeswehr has constructed a scenario for an armed conflict with Russia. The projection starts in February 2024, when Russia is expected to initiate another mass recruitment, drafting an additional 200,000 individuals into their army. By June, the Ukrainian army could be overcome, leading to "various forms of hybrid warfare". According to the German scenario, the climax will be in 2025, when NATO is predicted to dispatch 300,000 soldiers to the eastern flank.

Ben Hodges, who led the American army in Europe from 2014-2018, believes that the plans set out by Germany could feasibly be achieved. If Russia, under the direction of Vladimir Putin, senses that NATO countries are ill-prepared and divided, he believes the consequences could spark a world war.

"They only respect strength. If they detect any vulnerability, they will seize the opportunity," warns the general. He adds, "The best preventative measure against the combustion of war is to demonstrate that you are primed for it."