How Likely Is Another World War

Can there be World War III?

The way this world is progressing, possibly its an early sign of world war. But last two world wars had one thing common, a highly ambitious leader and a nation too powerful along with the supporting countries. Presently, there's no such leader who's too ambitious to take such risk as economy depends on foreign direct investment. no country is there , powerful enough, to wage such war and no other supporting country is there. For ex, china has invested heavily in american bonds so much, that it can cripple the whole economy but it can't do that because any negative change will render its money useless. Russia is not in a position to wage such war and it will be restricted by the NATO itself. China can't even think of it as its economy is largely based on FDI and such action will lead to withdrawal of foreign companies. India, pakistan are not capable enough to sustain such wars. So skirmishes are evident and possible everywhere but world war is not possible.

What was the closest the world has been to another World War?

Seems I recall from past Quora answers there was a case of a Russian General who had authority to fire nuclear missile (from Cuba) who did not and an example of a Russian submarine skipper who passed up on firing torpedoes during the Cuban missile blockade. I also saw an answer that seems to have disappeared that mentioned the India-Pakistan tension over Kasmir. I read that Indian businesses were getting cranked up like never before and the business leaders just flat told the government that if they screwed up this economic boom over a dispute about a province they would be immediately removed by whatever means necessary, no holds barred. Whatayaknow the whole thing calmed down. Lets here it for capialism.