Five regions, where the Third World War may begin in 2018, listed in his article in The National Interest magazine an American professor, an expert on defense and national security Robert Farley.

The world has almost managed to survive the year 2017, without slipping into the destructive conflict of the great powers, he writes. Tension in some regions of the world has significantly decreased - in particular, in Syria. However, in a number of other already difficult situations, the.

Among the potentially threatening regions, Farley lists the DPRK, Taiwan, Ukraine, the southern borders of NATO and the Persian Gulf.

The situation around North Korea, according to the expert, is undoubtedly the most serious foreign policy crisis in today's world, and in a potential war between the DPRK and the US, Japan and China can be dragged. In the case of Taiwan, the recent sharp statements by high-ranking Chinese military and diplomats lead Farley to the idea that at least part of the ruling elite of the PRC believes that Beijing now has a military superiority shifted in favor of Beijing. At the same time, China stepped up military activity in the region, and the US announced large arms shipments to Taiwan.

The situation in Ukraine, according to Farley, remains tense, and the conflict may break out in several directions. In the event of a serious Russian military invasion of Ukraine, the countries of Europe and the USA may be drawn into a conflict with Moscow.

The fourth potential focus of World War III Farley calls the southern flank of NATO due to almost complete collapse in relations between the US and Turkey.

As for the fifth region - the Persian Gulf - Farley's particular concern is the ongoing confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.