As Russian generals contemplate tactical nukes, Pyongyang peppers its neighbors and Saudis brace for an Iranian strike.

(Originally published Nov. 3 in “What in the World“) Could Russia be on the verge of expanding the war in Ukraine but also beyond Ukraine?

Last night came the disquieting news that Russian generals have been discussing how and where to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Though Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly rejected use of nuclear force and U.S. officials say there are still no signs nuclear weapons are being deployed, evidence that their use is being weighed isn’t soporific. Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday blamed rising nuclear risks on the West, saying the West needed to stop “encouraging provocations with weapons of mass destruction, which can lead to catastrophic consequences.”

North Korea appears increasingly eager to launch a war with the West. Yesterday it launched three missiles, including one believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile and one that flew so close to Japan that citizens there were ordered to take cover and trains halted. That was a day after Pyongyang launched 23 missiles from its coasts—the most its ever fired in a single day—including one that came so close to one South Korean island that it triggered air raid sirens. North Korea has already been sending Russia ammunition, something we’ve known since at least early-September, but which the U.S. has now publicly accused Pyongyang of supplying via the Middle East and North Africa.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and U.S. military outposts there and throughout the Middle East are bracing for a possibly imminent Iranian attack. Iran may also be poised to renew attacks against Kurdish and U.S. positions in northern Iraq to deflect public attention from domestic protests.

More than 200 Iranians have been killed in a vain attempt to quell almost daily anti-government demonstrations against the Sept. 16 death of a young woman in police custody after her detention for violating the conservative Islamic country’s strict rules on female attire.

Iran has emerged as an ally of Russia’s in Ukraine. It has been accused of supplying Russia with missiles and explosive drones, along with trainers, for use in Ukraine. Ukraine and at least one other U.S. ally say it is preparing to send even more. In response, the U.S. is planning to ship Ukraine “Vampire” anti-drone systems—missiles that can be launched from the back of pickup truck—by the middle of next year.

But Saudi Arabia recently antagonized the United States by joining with Russia and fellow members of the Oil Producing and Exporting Countries in cutting production of oil to support prices, prompting U.S. President Joe Biden to pledge consequences for the Saudis. But any pro-Russian sentiment in either Tehran or Riyadh is offset by the historic enmity between the two nations and the rival branches of Islam they represent.