[r9etb]

You describe a battlefield exchange between two of them here. Even if its nukes, its not a ‘World War’ by definition. Reason to be worried as hell? No denying it. But World War? Nope, not even close.

It depends on what happens next, of course. Who does Israel hit, besides Syria? Does Iran then pop in with its own nukes, directed at its various enemies?

And what does, say, Egypt do? Turkey?

I can't imagine that the consequences would be that an exchange between Israel and Syria would result in nothing -- the Israelis would undoubtedly hit other targets as well, if only to pre-empt.

[Badeye]

It depends on what happens next, of course. Who does Israel hit, besides Syria? Does Iran then pop in with its own nukes, directed at its various enemies?

And what does, say, Egypt do? Turkey?

I can’t imagine that the consequences would be that an exchange between Israel and Syria would result in nothing — the Israelis would undoubtedly hit other targets as well, if only to pre-empt.

Everything you state is possible.

That said, I still think the headline about just missing WWIII is ridiculous based on the participants alone.