In Rep. Michael McCaul’s office, World War II artifacts and images are on display, such as a B-17 bombardier jacket belonging to his father that sits prominently on a shelf.

The items are a nod to his father’s Air Force service in that war, but they now perhaps carry more weight and relevance than at any point in the two decades McCaul has been in Congress. When asked what’s keeping him up at night these days, the House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman says directly, “World War Three. It would be an unholy alliance between Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, threatening both Europe and the Pacific.” He doesn’t think there’s been an environment this ready to combust since the last World War.