Are we back to the 1930s? In the early 1930s, many people did not realise that regional tensions would lead the whole world into war.
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War warning on day missile hits US cargo ship
Are we back to the 1930s? In the early 1930s, many people did not realise that regional tensions would lead the whole world into war.
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What's happening?
On Friday, the USAThe United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million. launched air strikes across YemenThe poorest country in the Gulf region is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. on targets linked with the armed group known as the HouthisAn Islamist rebel group that controls a large part of Yemen. They are allies of Hamas in Gaza. .
They were responding to attacks by the Houthis on cargoGoods that are being transported. ships in the Red SeaA seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean. To its right is Saudi Arabia, to its left the coast of north Africa.. The Houthis, who support HamasA militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. in GazaThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt. , want to disrupt how IsraelA country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land. trades with the rest of the world.
Then the twist. Early yesterday morning, missiles fell near an American building in IraqA country in the Middle East with a population of 43.5m. , launched by its neighbours IranA country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million. .
Some experts think it is likely the Iranians were sending a message to the US on behalf of the Houthis, which Iran supports.
Now, the USA may feel it has to respond.
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So this, some warn, is how we end up with a new world war. Not now, but not far from now.
But others say we are far from the 1930s. Iran is unlikely to step things up beyond here. They point out the USA is still one of the greatest powers in history - so other countries will not want to risk starting a war with the Americans.
Are we back to the 1930s?
Yes! This is how world wars start. Countries start to band together. Things are very tense. Then one little event starts a series of actions that lead to war.
No! No one involved wants to go to war. Everybody knows that they have very little chance against the USA. And the USA does not want another expensiveCosts a lot of money. and deadly war.
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Keywords
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Yemen - The poorest country in the Gulf region is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis.
Houthis - An Islamist rebel group that controls a large part of Yemen. They are allies of Hamas in Gaza.
Cargo - Goods that are being transported.
Red Sea - A seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean. To its right is Saudi Arabia, to its left the coast of north Africa.
Hamas - A militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
Gaza - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt.
Israel - A country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.
Iraq - A country in the Middle East with a population of 43.5m.
Iran - A country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million.
Expensive - Costs a lot of money.
War warning on day missile hits US cargo ship
Vital decade: Grant Shapps says the world order has been "shaken to its core". Glossary
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Yemen - The poorest country in the Gulf region is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis.
Houthis - An Islamist rebel group that controls a large part of Yemen. They are allies of Hamas in Gaza.
Cargo - Goods that are being transported.
Red Sea - A seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean. To its right is Saudi Arabia, to its left the coast of north Africa.
Hamas - A militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
Gaza - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt.
Israel - A country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.
Iraq - A country in the Middle East with a population of 43.5m.
Iran - A country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million.
Expensive - Costs a lot of money.