World War III (abbreviated WWIII or WW3, also referred to as Third World War) is a global war that lasted from October 19 to October 30 of the current year of the Toaru Majutsu no Index timeline, as well as its last story arc, spanning Volumes 20, 21 and 22. Although lasting briefly, the war mostly involved two opposing great powers and alliances of Academy City, against the Russian Federation, controlled by the Roman Catholic Church. The United States of America were the only ones left out. As they were gearing up for it, the war ended before they could pick a side.