wǒ men我们néng能bì miǎn避免shì jiè dà zhàn世界大战ma吗？
Wars and tensions are deepening in many parts of the world, and some countries are steadily increasing military spending and buying more weapons.
This can squeeze public spending on education, health care, transportation, and other services, and may also lead to debt, rising prices, and social tensions.
More dangerously, major powers lack trust in one another and often use sanctions, military pressure, and tough language to solve problems.
A single misjudgment or an escalating conflict could draw more countries into war.
Nuclear weapons make the consequences of an all-out war extremely frightening, so they also make countries reluctant to start a direct war easily.
A world war is not certain to happen.
Countries can reduce misunderstandings through negotiations, follow international rules, control arms, and give greater priority to people's lives.
Ordinary people and civil society groups can also express their desire for peace and ask governments to give priority to economic, environmental, and public service issues.
Only by keeping communication open and avoiding provocation can the chances for peace increase.