by – Glen Palaca Hubahib, Esq.
Are we in World War III?
According to Chuck Holton (Christian Broadcasting Network, War Correspondent and The Hot Zone podcast) World War III is already here. It is different from World War I and II. Super and medium powers are using proxies, technologies, and economics to edge one out.
In the South Asia, we have pressure building up in Taiwan and the first island chain that includes Southern Island of Japan and the Philippines.
On December 17, 2025, the US Congress received notification of US $11 billion potential sale of high-end military arms to Taiwan. Currently, it is upgrading its F-16 viper fleet to modern standard with 70 deliveries until 2026 (forumsarmstrade.org).
Japan has converted two Izumo-class helicopter destroyers into a light aircraft carrier capable of operating F-35 fighter jets, marking their return to carrier aviation after World War II. The country is the largest foreign operator of F-35s with a planned total of 147 jets (19FortyFive.com). Japan PM’s comment that “the use force against Taiwan would be survival threatening for Japan” had enraged China.
Meanwhile, the Philippines has ordered 20 F-16’s. The country currently operates 12 FA-50’s – stepdown version of the American fighter jets. If we may recall, one of the jets crashed during a training exercise in Mindanao.
Then there is the Thailand-Cambodia conflict where the former is conducting bombing runs along their border using F-16’s. Ditto with Rohingya and Karen in Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh.
Along the Himalayas, we have again the on and off skirmishes of Pakistan, India, and China. In May 2025 Pakistan’s Chinese-made J-10 jets downed Indian Airforce Rafales, a MIG-29 and Su-30 using Chinese-made PL-15 long range air to air missiles as confirmed by US officials speaking anonymously (scmp.com). The kills have drawn interest for the Chinese fighters in the middle east, notably Libya where it is in as Civil war, and Iran.
Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon carrying PL-8 & 12 air to air missiles (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0)
Then we have the ongoing wars in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Kurdistan, Sudan, Yemen, the Karabakh Region of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Ukraine where the USA, EU, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Türkiye are involved. Because of their involvement it has created a demand for more sophisticated arms such as drones and multi-warhead missiles. Sometimes it boils to craziness that Türkiye sells drones to Ukraine while Iran sells its drones to Russia.
Not to be outdone the European Union is developing a Eurofighter that could rival the F-35’s. Currently, EU countries are using Rafales, Typhoons, Gripen fighters and some F-35’s. Additionally, PM Macron announce in December that his country will be building modern aircraft carrier. Likewise, another NATO member, Türkiye, is also building a bigger aircraft carrier. Interestingly, China has already three functional aircraft carrier. The fourth is still in the works that will feature nuclear propulsion and electromagnetic catapults to assist jet fighter take offs and will rival the US Ford-class super carriers. They are planning to have six by 2035.
USS Gerald R. Ford at Naval Station Norfolk (US Navy)
In South America, Brazil has a joint production agreement with Sweden through technology transfer and local production for Gripen E/F fighter and has successfully test-fired meteor air to air missiles.
The current conflicts and positioning of nations have created an arms race and restrictions on the sale of technologies that may be used in military hardware e.g., semiconductors, rare earth, and metals. Likewise, the demand from Pres. Trump that NATO members should spend 5% of their GDP for military equipment’s.
Then the pressure on the US Dollar from the BRICS countries (sometimes called the Global South) by trading using their national currencies. Thereby skirting US and EU sanctions for Russia, China, and Iran.
[Note: Glen Palaca Hubahib is admitted to practice law in California and the Philippines. He also holds Electrical Engineering and MBA degrees. The article is for information only and is not a legal advice. Send your comments to the author at hubahibg@gmail.com.]