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World War 3 could erupt from these five flashpoints in 2026 – with one in Europe
Donald Trump aggression in the Caribbean, Putin's shadowy forces operating from inside Europe and growing tensions in Asia and the Middle East paint a bleak global outlook for 2026
Tensions have been escalating across the globe with fears of a world-ending conflict emerging at an all time high. As Britons welcomed in 2026, the landscape of global geopolitics looks anything but stable.
Last year we saw acts of sabotage in Europe, aggressive naval displays and major military flexes all threatening peace. Putin's bloody war in Ukraine will have grinded on for four years in February, which is showing no signs of stopping.
Experts are warning that 2026 will provide no respite from rising the rising tensions. Here are the five flashpoints that could lead to all-out war breaking out across the globe.
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea has hosted US warships, fighter jets and even B-52 bombers. The military might was of course deployed by Donald Trump as part of his row with Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
The Orange Manbaby has also been ordering strikes against alleged drug smugglers in the Central American body of water.
Former spy Philip Ingram told the Sun: "Donald Trump is building up one of the largest naval and military forces we’ve seen in the region for a long time.
“The build-up there is something that you don’t do unless you’re going to use the military capability that Donald Trump is putting into the region."
The former spy added that the Caribbean Sea region "could flash up very quickly indeed"
Gulf of Finland
This tiny stretch of water between Finland, Estonia and Russia has been used by Putin's forces to cause disruption in Europe. Undersea cables have been destroyed, drones have been launched into European airspace and fighter jets have clashed in the skies.
Ingram estimated Putin will use this strategic location to distract Europeans from Russia's grinding war in Ukraine. He said: "With the Russian leader growing increasingly emboldened by Europe’s muted response to his recent airspace incursions, he all but certain to step up sabotage efforts across the continent in the coming year.
“One way in which he might continue to meddle with NATO is through his shadow fleet, primarily operating out of the Gulf of Finland," the former spook said.
"Earlier this year, we saw Russian jets flying over the gulf as they veered into Nato airspace and sparked a hurried response from the defence alliance.”
Kinmen Islands
A small group of islands off the coast of China could be invaded as part of China's aggression to Taiwan. The Kinmen Islands, with a population of 150,000, could easily be taken over by Beijing's forces as part of a Chinese plot to test Taiwan's nerve.
Ingram said: "“This is something that China could easily take with a very small military capability – and then sit and watch what the international community does,” Ingram said.
“China may use that as a test bed in 2026 to see what the resolve of the international community looks like.
“China sees it [Taiwan] as an errant part of China, and wants to see it back again.”
If Xi Jinping does invade the islands, it could open the door to military action from Donald Trump as the US has previously defended Taiwan's independence.
Strait of Hormuz
In the Middle East, all eyes are on the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow water way off the south coast of Iran sees 20 million barrels of oil shipped through it every year – one fifth of the world's consumption.
Experts fear Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could strike the massively important shipping lane in an act of revenge against Israel's attacks.
Ingram said: "Iran has remained relatively quiet, but if it felt that it wanted to bite back at the West with a large percentage of the West’s oil and gas going through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran could decide to close it.
“If tensions increase inside Iran, whether they be civil tensions against the government, whether they be tensions coming in from Israel or from the US or elsewhere, Iran could try to lash out like a cornered rat.
“Biting back by closing the strait of Hormuz – the impact on the global economy would be significant.”
Seoul
The decades-long peace between North and South Korea seems more delicate than ever with unpredictable despot Kim Jong-un continuing to flex his military power.
The dictator's ego is said to be at an all time high following a number of diplomatic wins in 2025. And his closeness to Putin will not make him more stable as his nation continues to provide Russia with ammunition and troops for the Ukraine war.
Ingram said: “Kim Jong-un, the despot leader of North Korea, is feeling emboldened in his relationship with Russia, supplying over 70 per cent of Russia’s ammunition for its war in Ukraine,” he said.
“Kim has also developed capabilities and been brought centre stage at Xi and Putin’s parades.”
Daily Star Sunday
Donald Trump aggression in the Caribbean, Putin's shadowy forces operating from inside Europe and growing tensions in Asia and the Middle East paint a bleak global outlook for 2026
Tensions have been escalating across the globe with fears of a world-ending conflict emerging at an all time high. As Britons welcomed in 2026, the landscape of global geopolitics looks anything but stable.
Last year we saw acts of sabotage in Europe, aggressive naval displays and major military flexes all threatening peace. Putin's bloody war in Ukraine will have grinded on for four years in February, which is showing no signs of stopping.
Experts are warning that 2026 will provide no respite from rising the rising tensions. Here are the five flashpoints that could lead to all-out war breaking out across the globe.
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea has hosted US warships, fighter jets and even B-52 bombers. The military might was of course deployed by Donald Trump as part of his row with Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
The Orange Manbaby has also been ordering strikes against alleged drug smugglers in the Central American body of water.
Former spy Philip Ingram told the Sun: "Donald Trump is building up one of the largest naval and military forces we’ve seen in the region for a long time.
“The build-up there is something that you don’t do unless you’re going to use the military capability that Donald Trump is putting into the region."
The former spy added that the Caribbean Sea region "could flash up very quickly indeed"
Gulf of Finland
This tiny stretch of water between Finland, Estonia and Russia has been used by Putin's forces to cause disruption in Europe. Undersea cables have been destroyed, drones have been launched into European airspace and fighter jets have clashed in the skies.
Ingram estimated Putin will use this strategic location to distract Europeans from Russia's grinding war in Ukraine. He said: "With the Russian leader growing increasingly emboldened by Europe’s muted response to his recent airspace incursions, he all but certain to step up sabotage efforts across the continent in the coming year.
“One way in which he might continue to meddle with NATO is through his shadow fleet, primarily operating out of the Gulf of Finland," the former spook said.
"Earlier this year, we saw Russian jets flying over the gulf as they veered into Nato airspace and sparked a hurried response from the defence alliance.”
Kinmen Islands
A small group of islands off the coast of China could be invaded as part of China's aggression to Taiwan. The Kinmen Islands, with a population of 150,000, could easily be taken over by Beijing's forces as part of a Chinese plot to test Taiwan's nerve.
Ingram said: "“This is something that China could easily take with a very small military capability – and then sit and watch what the international community does,” Ingram said.
“China may use that as a test bed in 2026 to see what the resolve of the international community looks like.
“China sees it [Taiwan] as an errant part of China, and wants to see it back again.”
If Xi Jinping does invade the islands, it could open the door to military action from Donald Trump as the US has previously defended Taiwan's independence.
Strait of Hormuz
In the Middle East, all eyes are on the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow water way off the south coast of Iran sees 20 million barrels of oil shipped through it every year – one fifth of the world's consumption.
Experts fear Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could strike the massively important shipping lane in an act of revenge against Israel's attacks.
Ingram said: "Iran has remained relatively quiet, but if it felt that it wanted to bite back at the West with a large percentage of the West’s oil and gas going through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran could decide to close it.
“If tensions increase inside Iran, whether they be civil tensions against the government, whether they be tensions coming in from Israel or from the US or elsewhere, Iran could try to lash out like a cornered rat.
“Biting back by closing the strait of Hormuz – the impact on the global economy would be significant.”
Seoul
The decades-long peace between North and South Korea seems more delicate than ever with unpredictable despot Kim Jong-un continuing to flex his military power.
The dictator's ego is said to be at an all time high following a number of diplomatic wins in 2025. And his closeness to Putin will not make him more stable as his nation continues to provide Russia with ammunition and troops for the Ukraine war.
Ingram said: “Kim Jong-un, the despot leader of North Korea, is feeling emboldened in his relationship with Russia, supplying over 70 per cent of Russia’s ammunition for its war in Ukraine,” he said.
“Kim has also developed capabilities and been brought centre stage at Xi and Putin’s parades.”
Daily Star Sunday