What battle would truly appear like for Brits from conscription incentives to cyber assaults

A top security expert warns escalating conflict could push the UK toward a modern world war, with rising oil prices, economic pain, and even the return of selective conscription

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As conflict in the Middle East intensifies, experts warn the consequences could stretch far beyond the battlefield – potentially transforming daily life in Britain.

Professor Anthony Glees says if the current crisis continues to escalate it could push the world closer to what many would describe as a modern version of World War Three. But what would that actually mean for the UK?

From the economy and energy prices to the possibility of conscription, the effects could be felt in homes, workplaces and communities across the country. According to Glees, modern warfare would look very different from the world wars of the 20th century.

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Instead of massive armies clashing on European battlefields, a 21st-century global conflict would likely be fought largely with drones, missiles and cyber attacks.

He warns that the current confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel risks spiralling into a much broader conflict if it continues.

“What started as an air campaign could easily spread,” Glees tells the Mirror, warning that it could pull in major powers and allies across the globe.

He believes the conflict already shows the hallmarks of a new kind of global war – largely non-nuclear but highly technological and potentially long-lasting.

One of the fastest impacts for ordinary Britons would be economic. If fighting disrupts shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz – a critical channel for global energy supplies – oil prices could surge even more dramatically than they have already.

The waterway carries roughly a quarter of the world’s oil supply, meaning any blockade could send shockwaves through global markets.

Glees warns that sustained price rises could push oil above £75 ($100) a barrel, fuelling inflation across the West and derailing hopes of falling interest rates.

That could mean higher fuel bills, rising food prices and more pressure on household budgets. “It will hit inflation everywhere in the West and knock the UK economy’s plans for growth into never-never land,” he warned. The knock-on effect could also push up mortgage costs and slow economic growth.

The UK already maintains military bases in the region, including RAF Akrotiri and RAF Dhekelia in Cyprus. These bases are key hubs for intelligence and military operations in the Middle East. If the conflict escalates further, British forces could find themselves drawn more directly into the fighting, either through defending allied bases or supporting international operations.

Glees says attacks on Western installations or allies in the Gulf could make deeper involvement unavoidable. One of the most dramatic changes could be the return of conscription.

The expert believes Britain would need to dramatically expand its armed forces if a prolonged global conflict emerged. “At least doubling the size of our armed forces would be necessary,” he said.

However, he believes a modern system would likely look very different from the mass conscription seen during the Second World War. Instead, it could follow models used in countries like Sweden and Norway, where all young people must register for potential military service but only some are selected.

To encourage people to serve, the government might also offer significant incentives. During the Second World War, returning soldiers were promised sweeping social reforms including the creation of the National Health Service and the construction of “homes for heroes”.

In a modern equivalent, Glees suggests incentives could include student debt cancellation, free university education or subsidised mortgages. Such policies could be used to encourage voluntary enlistment while building a larger reserve force.

If the crisis expands further, Britain would likely act alongside its European partners and NATO allies.

The professor notes that European NATO members together with Ukraine can muster roughly 1.5 million troops – comparable to the size of Vladimir Putin‘s armed forces.

However, he warns that reliance on the United States alone may no longer be realistic. “Despite Brexit, we have to work closely with our European partners,” he said.

For most people in the UK, the effects of a wider conflict would likely be felt first in their wallets. Rising energy prices, inflation and economic uncertainty could quickly hit living standards.

But if the situation escalated further, the impact could become far more personal – from new national service schemes to a larger military presence across the country.

While a full-scale global war remains far from certain, experts warn the current conflict highlights how quickly international crises can reshape life at home.

On Thursday, four of six crew members on a US military refuelling aircraft died after it crashed in western Iraq. The tanker had been involved in ongoing US operations against Iran and was one of two aircraft involved in the incident.

Gen Dan Caine, chair of the US Joint Chiefs, told a news conference on Friday that the plane had crashed “while the crew was on a combat mission”.

He added: “We’re still treating this as an active rescue and recovery operation.”