In a recent state TV broadcast, Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Russia Today (RT), a state-controlled media organization, made a bold prediction that World War III would soon erupt in the Middle East, specifically as a result of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Simonyan expressed her hope that this global turmoil would divert attention away from the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which has strained relations between Moscow and Washington.

During the broadcast on state TV channel Russia-1, Simonyan spoke alongside prominent host Vladimir Solovyov, a key figure in Kremlin-backed media. The Daily Beast's Julia Davis shared an excerpt of Simonyan's remarks on social media, stating that the propagandist anticipated the outbreak of a third world war, which would unquestionably occur in our lifetime. Simonyan remarked that while Russia would not actively participate in the conflict, it would observe from the sidelines.

Simonyan emphasized the inevitability of the world war, asserting that it would undoubtedly unfold in the Middle East. Although acknowledging the tragedy and casualties that would accompany such a conflict, Simonyan highlighted the advantage for Russia, suggesting that Western powers would become preoccupied with the Middle Eastern crisis, leading them to "kind of forget" about Russia's own actions.

It is worth noting that this is not the first instance of Kremlin propagandists warning about a looming world war. The strained ties between Washington and Moscow have been exacerbated by Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Simonyan previously voiced her belief that a world war would erupt following Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023. She has also alluded to Iran's military capabilities, describing it as an "enormous military nation" that is "five minutes away from getting a nuclear bomb."

While Simonyan's predictions may raise concerns, it is important to approach such statements with skepticism, as they are often disseminated as part of a propaganda campaign. The claims made by Simonyan and other state TV guests, accusing the United States and NATO of instigating a new world war, should be critically analyzed within the context of the ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions.

Newsweek has reached out to Russia's foreign ministry for comment on these statements but has yet to receive a response.

As global dynamics continue to evolve, it becomes imperative to monitor the various narratives and viewpoints emerging from state-controlled media outlets. While the predictions of a world war may grab attention, it is crucial to approach these assertions with caution, evaluating the sources and motivations behind such statements.