Yeah, typically not a buyer of PaulBot/CodePink panty-wetting fantasies...I can buy some WW scenariois but Syria-Iran? That can be contained. What is harder to contain is economic issues driving people to shoot at each other to get what they want.
Defined contained? As in "not coming to our shores as missiles and rockets" contained, then sure. The Straight of Hormuz is an issue - but the oil can be routed other directions (at greater cost) The danger comes from the excuse to do further lock-down here at home, to make alliances that sell out our interests abroad and to engage in another war that keeps the bulk of our troops NOT HERE and being exposed to soft kill tactics like the depleted uranium in the tanks and shells ( Yeah, I get why they use it, but folks, "Gulf War syndrome" is low grade radiation/Uranium dust poisoning )
I think Iran/Syria/Russia/Israel is a wonderful candidate for another war. GWB was already laying the groundwork for it with his axis of Evil speech. North Korea was included in that axis because that would force China into the mix. I think China is too smart to play. Putin and Russia, not so much: Look at how that guy responds to taunts from little girls! He will play and IS PLAYING.
There are certainly powers trying to get this war going - the current environment is just too close to the build up of WWI. Maybe its a conspiracy or maybe its just history rhyming - but I think this war is likely, and then we get world participation based on how many "leaders" need a distraction from the "economic issues driving people to shoot at each other"