19th Century - The Anglo-Russian War (poss. World War I)

Inspired by reading a book on the Great Game recently, I was struck by how many times Britain and Russia almost came to open war over various flash-points in the Balkans, Caucasus, Persia, and Central Asia/India. Knowing more about it makes me surprised that just the Crimean went hot. So, what would be the best chance for one of the other disputes to turn into open war? What would be the objectives? Would Russia really be able to invade India or inspire rebellion? How could the British respond? Perhaps most importantly, which side would the other Great Powers (France, Prussia/Germany, Austria, Italy, and Japan for a late century war) take or would remain strongly neutral?
 
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Perhaps a Fashoda war with a Franco-Russian (plus China) alliance against UK-Germany-Japan is the best option.


I don't think Russia would care very much about what happened in Fashoda.


I think the two best bets for war are either:

1. War over Central Asia {ie. India and Afghanistan}
2. War over Istanbul

1 is unlikely as I don't think Russia actually wanted India. So the best bet for war is over Istanbul and the Straits. I assume that such a war would take place in the early 1900's.

French Reaction: France is caught between a rock and a hard place. On one side, they need to keep friendly with Russia in order to keep Germany on her guard. On the other, they need to keep friendly with Britain for kind of the same reasons. Assuming everything else is the same as OTL, I say France sides with the British. If you want to see France take sides with Russia, heat up the Anglo-French competition in the Scramble for Africa. They actually nearly came to war over the most unimportant places on the continent.

German Reaction: Sides with Ottomans, doesn't want to see Russia increase in strength.

Japan: Doesn't care.

Austria: Side with whatever side the Germans are on.

Italy: Sides with Britain, no reason to side with the Russians and probably doesn't want a Russian presence in the Med.


Now of course, when I say "side with" I don't mean "fight with". I don't think this will explode into major war.
 
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