Asma Khalid

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You might remember from history class that the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 led to the First World War.

But our guest today, an expert on the history of war, says it's a lot more complicated.

It turns out wars often spiral out of control for all sorts of unexpected reasons, sometimes even by accident, miscalculation and pride.

What started just over three weeks ago with the U.S.

and Israel bombing Iran now involves more than a dozen other countries.

And despite some signs that the Trump administration wants to negotiate, it's not clear Israel and Iran feel the same way.

And that has some people wondering if there really is an off-ramp here, or could this continue to ratchet up and become an even bigger conflict?

Could we be a World War III?

From the BBC, I'm Asma Khalid in Washington, D.C.

And today on The Global Story, could we really be on the verge of World War III?

I saw you were described as Professor Emeritus.

Is that the official title they give you if you're retired?

Well, thanks again for joining us.

So we brought you on our show today to discuss a question that I have been hearing raised in recent days.

It is a question I've heard from some listeners.

It's also a question that I've been reading about.

It's been percolating in the atmosphere.

And that is, are we headed to World War III?

Now, Margaret, to be clear, I don't personally think we are, but it is a question people are asking.