The Start of WW3?

http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/07/markets/world_markets_downgrade/index.htm?hpt=hp_t1

So this could just be fearmongering, but does anyone else see similarities between the possible repercussions of the S&P downgrade to the Great Depression before WW2?

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-10/world/china.military.superpower_1_superpower-military-spending-military-dominance?_s=PM:WORLD

If the similarities are there, how will the United States and China be involved?

>>>4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction

So, worst case scenario, a Cold War 2 of sorts happens, regardless of how allies fall? It was never explicitly stated that China and the US would be opposing forces.