$2033

THE PROPHECY

When Dmitry Glukhovsky wrote Metro 2033, his goal, by his own admission, was never to create a precise prophecy. And yet, the novel — which at the time of its release seemed like pure science fiction — has, over the years, begun to resemble something far more unsettling: a prophetic text, a warning encrypted in literary form. Amid the crumbling tunnels of the Moscow Metro, where survivors cling to life in eternal darkness, fragments of the lost world flicker through — one of them touching on the Middle East, and in particular, Israel and Iran.

THE SPARK

In the world of Metro 2033, the nuclear catastrophe did not begin with a sudden launch of intercontinental missiles. It was the culmination of long-standing, mounting tensions — decades of diplomatic failure, confrontation, and regional conflict. And in this superheated atmosphere, it was the events in the Middle East that acted as the spark on the fuse. In character dialogues and snippets of pre-war information, it is mentioned that Iran launched a nuclear strike on Tel Aviv, destroying the heart of Israel. This act of aggression was not only a tragedy but also a trigger: Israel, possessing its own nuclear arsenal, responded immediately. A short but devastating nuclear war broke out between the two nations.

THE ESCALATION

But the story didn't end there. The escalation spilled far beyond the region. Major world powers, each with their own allies, fears, and strategies, were drawn into the conflict. Treaties were activated, ultimatums issued, and soon, missiles were crossing continents, wiping entire cities and generations off the face of the Earth. Moscow — like the rest of the world — descended into radioactive darkness.

THE WARNING

This part of the lore does not occupy a central place in the novel; it doesn't shout or demand attention. But it lingers — like a shadow on the wall that cannot be ignored. Glukhovsky doesn't point fingers at specific nations; instead, he reveals the fragility of a world where a single flash on the horizon can, in mere hours, become a wildfire consuming the planet.

THE REALITY

And now, more than a decade after the novel's release, the world once again looks toward the Middle East with unease. Real geopolitical tensions, the growing hostility between Israel and Iran, the exchange of threats and strikes on allies — all of it evokes a chilling sense of déjà vu. The line between speculative fiction and brutal reality grows thinner. Metro 2033 no longer feels like a work of fantasy — it reads like a chronicle of a future that is almost upon us.