it's not called nuclear Armageddon for nothing you know.
and in case you hadn't realised world war three already started, except it's not fought with drawn out battle lines and everyone wearing uniforms and buying weapons,
people are doing what they can, they fight for their country and their god. they steal planes and use them, they tie bombs to themselves and blow up trains and cars etc.
and in retaliation the other side pretend like their playing by the book and invade countries and levy sanctions, and become and occupying force. kill civilians and drive the hatred deeper causing more attacks in this unorganized attacks.
apocalyptic view yes, but I don't see it changing in my lifetime,
I live in Britain, I was born in 1982, shortly after the Falklands war, I've never known 'peace' in my lifetime, there has always been the army of my country at war with someone. and yet in the same time I've never known war either. I live an easy life with little hardship.
and as for missile shield allowing you to do what you want...
1, the only country openly developing a missile shield is USA
2, missile shields don't work against commuter planes,
3, missile shields don't work against bombs that detonate above a country showering waste onto that place.
4, missile shields don't prevent suicide bombs or stuff like that -I mean how many drugs and illegal immigrants are currently in America! now what if those drugs were explosives and the illegal immigrants suicide bombers.
a fresh new president won't change a thing,
the damage is pretty much done... just life what you can till you die, and if you're lucky, you'll get to die naturally.
the only way to avoid war is to make sure everyone puts down their weapons.
until that happens the best way to avoid war is a good old fashion Mexican standoff. we all stand completely still pointing guns at each other, except they're nukes, rather than six shooters.