A New York Times opinion piece argues World War III began years ago, drawing parallels between the lead-up to World War II and current global conflicts. The author contends the war is an accumulation of regional crises, starting with Japan's 1931 invasion of Manchuria, rather than a single event. In 2022, the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine was seen as a continuation of this pattern, abetted by authoritarian alliances.

The article notes that while Ukraine resisted fiercely like Britain in 1940, the conflict has expanded. It details a merging of theaters, with Russia attacking Moldova and Poland, while Hamas's assault on Israel expanded into a broader Iran conflict. Furthermore, an Axis of Authoritarians is forming, with Russia aiding North Korea's military modernization and China supplying electronic components for Russian drones.

The West is depicted as divided, with political infighting between the Trump administration and allies weakening unity. The piece concludes that the convergence of these conflicts, combined with military technology shifts and brutal tactics, signifies a global war already underway.