The continuing conflict in Ukraine, China’s threatened invasion of Taiwan, and the intervention of Iran in the Israel-Gaza War have led to speculation that we might be “backing into” a Third World War. As with the slow collapse of the international system after 1931—and the rise of multiple regional conflicts—the fear is that these three local wars in particular might expand into a global conflagration. This course will closely examine these conflicts and others that are brewing to understand whether WWIII might develop from the tense international situation and current crises. We will look at the historical underpinnings for the local conflicts, but focus in particular on ideological, revisionist, and revanchist explanations for the growing threat of another world war. At the end of the course we will ask what the U.S. and our allies can—or should—do to prevent, mitigate, or fight this potential conflict.

COURSE FORMAT
This is an interactive online seminar course that meets weekly over 8 weeks. Live online sessions will use the zoom platform. Weekly reading or other forms of materials may be assigned. Weekly sessions will be recorded and available for registered participants to access throughout the course.
There are no papers or grades. This course does not offer any credits or certificates. This course is intended for learning for the love of learning.

COURSE MATERIALS
This course will have all reading materials supplied by the instructor
Registrants will receive access to the course website and the zoom links about two weeks before the course starts.

COURSE CANCELLATION POLICY
Registrants can cancel and receive a full refund up to March 3. After March 3, there will be no refunds issued.
Yale Alumni College courses are subject to schedule changes as well as cancellations. If Yale Alumni College must cancel any course prior to its start due to low enrollment, you will be notified of this by the cancellation date. Upon cancellation of a course, registrants may transfer their registration to another available course or have the registration fee fully refunded.

In the event of a disruption to the original course schedule, including but not limited to; Professor absence, hazardous weather conditions, or local travel restrictions, Yale Alumni College will do its best to reschedule the missed class for the week immediately following the original end date at the same course time and day.