Here are the sequence of the events leading to the Third World War and taking place during the war, based on the quatrains of Nostradamus and similar prophecies of other people. Eventually, the events may turn out to be very different. The comments below the quatrains are based on the current geopolitical scenario but some events which are not commensurate with the current situation may unfold later on. I will try to update as the situation changes.

[I.63] Pestilences extinguished, the world becomes smaller, for a long time the lands will be inhabited peacefully. People will travel safely through the sky, land and seas : then wars will start up again

This quatrain is considered to be the quatrain which indicate the start of WW-III. The scenario described in this quatrain is definitely a modern world scenario as is describes air travel. Air travel became commercially available only after WW-II. World is a small place now with ease of communications. Antibiotics helped man to get rid of many incurable diseases. But, Nostradamus says, wars will start up again. Alternatively, this might describe a period of unparalleled peace predicted after WW-III when the Great Monarch will reign, till the "End of the World".

[IV.32] In those times and places that meat gives way to fish the law of commune will be opposed. The old order will hold strong, then removed from the scene, then all things common among friends put far behind

We have already seen this prophecy coming true. During the early 1990s in Soviet Union and Communist Europe (in those times and places), when the economic condition in these countries deteriorated (meat gave way to fish), Communism (the law of commune) was opposed by the people. The old leaders indeed tried to hold on but ultimately were removed from powers. Ultimately Communism (all things common among friends - equality among friends - comrades) collapsed. This prophecy was understood even before its accomplishment by many interpreters. But the instability caused by collapse of USSR and the resulting unipolar world may indirectly be the cause of the next great war.

[X.72] The year 1999 and September month, from the sky will come the great King of Terror. He will awaken the great king of the Angolmois. Before and after Mars to reign by good luck.

On 11th September 2001, terrorists crashed three jumbo jets on the World Trade Center twin towers in New York and on Pentagon bringing the towers down and causing damage to the Pentagon in the biggest ever terror attack this world has seen. "King of Terror", the ultimate form of terrorism indeed came from the sky that day. The date on which this event took place was two years after 1999 but the quatrain describes the rest of the events wonderfully. It is said that prophesized dates often do not come true as the exact time of any event depends on human free will. "King of Angolmois", probably means the King of America (Anglomois?) i.e the US President, who "awakened" to the scourge of terrorism and started his "War on Terror". USA had good luck in the wars (Mars - the God of War) that followed in Afghanistan and in Iraq.

[IX.55] The horrible war which is being prepared in the West, The following year will come the pestilence So very horrible that young, old, nor beast (will survive), Blood, fire Mercury, Mars, Jupiter in France.

The attack against Iraq by USA, Britain and the western coalition forces, opposed by most Islamic countries, might turn out to be the precursor to the WW-III and will obviously be a war "prepared in the West". Nostradamus says that in the following year, (2004?) pestilence will spread. This may point to a possible terrorist attack on the USA and other allied countries in the following year, this time using Biological, Chemical or Radiological weapons of mass destruction. The attack is likely to be on a gigantic proportion, leading to deaths in thousands. Maybe Anthrax and/or other Biological Warfare agents will spread out of control, in such a manner that people - young and old and also animals will die. Anthrax infects human and animals alike.

However, if we go by the astrological configuration provided in this quatrain and interpret "Blood, fire, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter in France" as meaning that Mercury, Mars and Jupiter will be in the same constellation, then we can find that all these planets will be in Virgo in September 2004, Libra in November 2006 and Scorpius in December 2006. These planets will again be conjoined in Sagittarius in December 2008, in Capricorn in February 2009 and in Pisces in April 2011. So, this is by no means a rare conjunction and no specific time period can be derived from this quatrain alone, unless there is a different interpretation for the last line.

[II.62] Mabus then will then soon die, there will come of people and beasts a horrible rout: Then suddenly one will see vengeance, hundred, hand, thirst, hunger when the comet will run.

The question is who is Mabus? There are two interpretations doing rounds these days. 1. If we unscramble the word, we can write it as "Usamb" very close to "Usama bin" the actual pronunciation in Arabic of what we call Osama. It seems to indicate that Osama bin Laden will die, probably due to bombing or due to attack of ground forces or even by suicide after being cornered. He may never be captured alive by USA. 2. Some say, Mabus is Saddam (read backwards, it spells "sudam" after some alteration). The "horrible rout" of people as well as beasts indicate not death due to war but due to some disease. This might be the same event described in the IX.55, the death of people and animals due to Anthrax or other Weapons of Mass Destruction which will spread like wildfire. "Then suddenly one will see vengeance" - vengeance by whom? Most likely by the Islamic terrorists to avenge Osama's or Saddam's death and USA's war against terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. There will be another sudden and widespread terrorist attack. The nature of this attack is not mentioned [Sollog, the modern time controversial prophet said, terrorists will explode suitcase nuclear weapons in Israel (Tel Aviv), USA (Washington DC) and Europe (Rome)]. The repeated threats of Osama and Mullah Omar comes to mind. At the same time a comet will suddenly be seen in the sky, advancing towards the earth, and ultimately striking it, resulting in devastation. It is possible that "Mabus" is neither Osama nor Saddam but it might be the name of some important Muslim leader e.g. Mohammad ABU Salem or Mahammad Abbas (the new Prime Minister of Palestine) etc. who dies just before WW-III starts.

[VI.97] The sky will burn at 5 and 40 degrees, fire approaches the great New City. Immediately a huge, scattered flame leaps up when they want to have proof of the Normans

Probably this quatrain describes a nuclear attack on the USA near the New York city, which is at 40.5 degrees OR this might describe the burning fragment of a comet which will strike the earth (described later) during WW-III and probably the New York city too. However, this is also a fairly accurate description of the attack on the World Trade Center. The connection to the French is not clear yet. The word "proof" might be related to the proof required for establishing involvement of Osama Bin Laden in the  September 11 attack or the subsequent attack on USA using WMD and such a proof will be provided by France.

[I.87] Volcanic fire from the center of the earth will cause trembling around the new city: Two great rocks will make war for a long time. Then Arethusa will redden a new river.

This may describe an earthquake in New York. The timing is not definite. But the description of "two great rocks making war" is an excellent explanation about how earthquakes happen when continental shelfs around faults collide and slide against each other.

[X.49] Garden of the World near the New City, in the road of the hollow mountains. It will be seized and plunged in the tank, forced to drink water poisoned with sulphur

Probably describes the terrorist attack near New York (New City) at Manhattan island where World Trade Center (hollow mountains) collapsed due to a terrorist attack with hijacked planes. The resulting debris and dust of asbestos and glass polluted the whole of New York city. However, if a WMD attack on New York takes place, this might also refer to that. "Garden of the World near the New City" may refer either to Central Park or to New Jersey which is called the "Garden State". "in the road of the hollow mountains."  is further reference of what Nostradamus might have envisioned of Central Park's proximity to Manhattan.  "It will be seized and plunged into the tank" refers to an event of "great catastrophe" perhaps terrorists plan to detonate a nuclear bomb in Central Park.  The final line, "forced to drink water poisoned with sulphur "is his metaphor meaning that the water supply around the blast zone, "Central Park" is poisoned as a result. (Thanks to Jim Torino for this interpretation.)

[X.96] The Religion of the name of the seas will win out Against the sect of the son of "Adaluncatif": The stubborn, lamented sect will be afraid of the two wounded by A and A.

The religion of the name of the seas may be "Hindu". The word Indian came from the word Hindu and Indians call the Indian Ocean "Hind Mahasagar (Ocean)" and India as "Hindustan", literally meaning the land of the Hindus. No other major religion has any remote connection in its name with any ocean. "Adaluncatif" - whatever or whoever this is, this surely is a Muslim sounding name. The sect of the son of Adaluncatif is then Islam. "The stubborn, lamented sect" - Nostradamus's way of describing Islam). "A & A" - the name of the person "Adaluncatif" contains these initial alphabets. May be some thing like Acdun-al-Atif (Abdul-al-Atif?) or something close. What is apparent is that "Adaluncatif" - a Muslim will carry out an attack against the people whose religion is of the name of the seas (probably Hindus) who, in turn, will then retaliate causing the Muslims to fear them. This might indicate a future attack on two senior Indian leaders by Islamic Terrorists, which will injure the two leaders, but will fail to kill them. These leaders will then order retaliatory attacks on Pakistan, which will cause fear among them. Ultimately, India will win the war against Pakistan.

[IX.83] Sun twentieth of Taurus the earth will tremble very mightily, It will ruin the great theater filled: To darken and trouble air, sky and land, then the infidel will call upon God and saints

A great earthquake will occur during the period May-June and will ruin a great city. Could this be the result of the Comet-strike? The air and sky can be darkened because of the dust which is generated when the fragments of the comet strike earth. There is nothing to indicate the exact year when it will take place. But the last line associates this with some kind of holy war or jihad maybe? This agrees with the general idea from other quatrains that Eastern forces will attack Europe after the Comet-strike.

[V.55] In the fortunate country of Arabia will be born one powerful in the laws of Mahomet. He will trouble Spain and conquer Grenada and most of Italy from the sea

Envisages that an Arab leader will conquer Spain and Italy, coming from the sea, during the war. This is probably be the leader who will lead the Islamic coalition.

[V.25] The Arab Prince Mars, Sun, Venus, Leo, The rule of the Church will succumb by sea: Towards Persia very nearly a million men, the true serpent will invade Byzantium and Egypt.

The war on Iraq and its occupation by the western forces will generate widespread discontent in the Arab world. As a result, the pro-west ruling royal family in Saudi Arabia will be overthrown by a charismatic leader, who himself will come from a Arab royal family. (Osama bin Laden is also an Arab prince). This will unleash a chain of events in the Arabic and Islamic world. Governments in two other pro-western countries, Turkey and Egypt, will fall as a direct result of this event and hardliners will come into power in these countries. Similar thing will also happen in Iran, where the hardliners will capture power following an invasion by the Saudi Prince after toppling the govt. of Khatami, the present President. Thus, in one stroke, the oil wealth of the world will fall in the hands of Islamic hardliners along with a huge cache of conventional and non-conventional weapons accumulated by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran over the years, which is the nightmare scenario for USA and the west. Shortly thereafter, the attack on Italy and Vatican will take place by a fleet traveling across the sea. This chain of events has also been described in the Islamic prophecies (in the Hadeeths) too - Nafi' ibn 'Utbah said : "The Prophet (S) said, 'You will attack Arabia, and Allah will enable you to conquer it. Then you will attack Persia, and Allah will enable you to conquer it. Then you will attack Rome, and Allah will enable you to conquer it. Then you will attack the Dajjal, and Allah will enable you to conquer him.'" (Muslim.)

[IV.50] Libra will be seen to reign in the West, holding the rule over the skies and the earth. No one will see the strength of Asia destroyed until seven holds the hierarchy in succession

Before WW-III the west will be powerful - Libra signifies balance of power, but Asia will also be strong. The great war (WW-III) lasts till 2007 (seven) when the strength of Asia will be destroyed.

[II.5] When weapons and documents are enclosed in a fish, out of it will come a man who will then make war. His fleet will have traveled far across the sea to appear near the Italian shore.

A Muslim (probably Libyan) leader will travel to Italy by his Submarine crossing the Mediterranean sea along with his army to fight against them.

[I.9] From the Orient will come the African heart to trouble Hadrie and the heirs of Romulus, accompanied by the Libyan fleet, the temples of Malta trembling and the neighboring isles empty.

The Eastern forces along with the Libyan forces will come by sea to attack Italy, Malta and neighboring islands. Malta is a mere 400 Kms. from Tripoli.

[II.30] One who the infernal gods of Hannibal will cause to be reborn, terror of mankind never more horror nor the papers tell of worse days in the past than will come to the Romans through Babel.

A frightening leader from North Africa will come to Italy and lead the eastern forces in their victory over the western forces.

[VIII.9] While the eagle is united with the cock at Savona, the eastern sea and Hungary. The army at Naples, Palermo, the marches of Ancona, Rome and Venice a great outcry by the Arab

Combined US and French forces will try to confront the Eastern forces in Italy, but still the eastern forces will move into and conquer the whole of Italy.

[VII.6] Naples, Palermo and all of Sicily will be uninhabited through Arab hands. Corsica Salerno and the island of Sardinia, hunger, plague, war the end of extended evils

A further description of the eastern invasion of Italy and destruction of major Italian cities by Arabs.

[II.81] Through fire from the sky the city almost burned: The floods threatens Deucalion again: Sardinia vexed by the African fleet, after Libra will leave Leo

Burning chunks from the Comet striking earth will destroy European cities. Italy will face widespread floods, similar to the proportion of Noah's flood, when a piece of comet strikes Mediterranean Ocean, resulting in huge tidal waves. After sometime, the Arab-North African fleet will attack Sardinia and then Europe, taking advantage of the already devastated and defenseless Europe.

[VII.19] The fort at Nice will not engage in combat, it will be overcome by shinning metal. This deed will be debated for a long time, strange and fearful for the citizens

The city of Nice will be conquered by a new weapon ("shinning metal") without giving the inhabitants a chance of combat. A pointer that new weapons will help decide the course of war.

[II.96] A burning torch will be seen in the sky at night near the end & source of RhÔne. Famine & weapon; help provided too late, Persia will turn & invade Macedonia.

... says that Iran will invade the Balkans during the war. The burning torch is probably the comet or a burning piece of it, about the strike the earth. The Allies (the West) will be unable to provide help in time to its forces.

[III.64] The Persian leader will fill up great Spain. A fleet of Ship against the Islamic force will gather, Persia will destroy Cyclades:then a long wait in the great Ionian harbour.

Troops from Iran will further advance to join the Arabs in Spain. Military gains for Iran before being challenged by allied forces.

[I.18] Because of French discord and negligence an opening shall be given to Mohammedans. The land will be soaked in blood and the port of Marseilles covered with ships and sails

Some sort of French indecision will pave the way for the eastern forces to enter France. France will pay heavily for this error with ships and human life destroyed.

[I.73] France because of negligence assailed on five sides, Tunis, Algiers stirred up by Persians: Leon, Seville, Barcelona having failed, for the Venetians there will be no fleet.

Because of the French indecision, France will be attacked from five sides by the Eastern forces led by Iran. Spain will not be able to help and of course the Italian Navy has been destroyed by this time by the tidal wave resulting from the comet strike.

[I.72] The inhabitants of Marseilles completely changed, flight and pursuit up to near Lyons. Narbonne, Toulouse wronged by Bordeaux: Killed and captives nearly a million.

Nearly one million people will be killed or captured in France during the war. All people will flee from Marseilles. Eastern forces will pursue them upto Lyons.

[II.4] From Monaco to near Sicily the entire coast will remain desolated: There will remain there no suburb, city or town not pillaged and robbed by the Barbarians.

The eastern forces, after defeating the western army will rob and pillage all the coastal cities of Europe. By this time the original inhabitants have already fled these cities.

[III.78] The leader from the Scotland with six Germans will be captured by Eastern seamen. They will pass Gibraltar and Spain, presented to the new dreadful leader in Iran

Eastern Naval forces will capture the leader of Scotland and six Germans during the war and take him as a prisoner in Iran and present him before the new Iranian leader. The leader of Scotland may mean someone from the British Royal Family who is in the Army or Navy and is part of the western allied forces.

[IX.60] In a black head-dress the Arab fights, blood shed, Dalmatia trembles. The great Ishmaël will make his post, frogs tremble under aid from Portugal

Arab forces will land in Dalmatia - the coastal area of the Balkans. A leader named Ishmaël will lead them. Submarines and ships of eastern forces will be harassed by Portuguese Navy.

[II.84] Between Campania, Sienna, Florence and Tuscany, it will not rain a drop for six months and nine days. A foreign language will be spoken in Dalmatia, it will overrun the country, devastating the land

Italy will face a great drought after the Comet strike. Eastern shores of Adriatic will be attacked by the foreign forces, overrunning, occupying and destroying the countries.

[III.23] If France, you cross the Adriatic, you will find your self besieged among islands and seas. Mahomet against you, more so the Adriatic, you will gnaw the bones of horses and asses

This describes a failed expedition of the French in the Adriatic sea. The French fleet capitulates both due to the eastern resistance and nature's ire - most probably due to the tidal waves following the comet striking the Ocean.

[II.86] Wreck for the fleet near the Adriatic Sea: The land trembles stirred up upon the air placed on land: Egypt trembles Mahometan increase, the Herald is sent to call out for surrender

The western fleet is wrecked in the Adriatic Sea. An earthquake occurs. Both of these events may arise from pieces of the Comet striking the earth and the sea. The Islamic army sends message to the western forces asking them to surrender.

[II.72] French army troubled in Italy, on all sides conflict and great loss: Romans fled, O France repelled! Near the Ticino, Rubicon uncertain battle.

The French forces will face trouble while fighting the eastern forces in Italy. Both the Italian forces and the French forces will retreat.

[V.49] Not from Spain but from ancient France will he be elected for the trembling Ship. He will make a promise to the enemy who will cause great plague during his reign

...mentions that a Pope will be elected from France defeating his competitor from Spain. This will probably happen after the present Pope dies before or during the start of the WW-III. The war at that point is yet to reach Italy, but is nearing. He will make some kind of promise to his enemy, maybe a peace treaty, but it appears that it will not be fruitful as during his reign war will start. It may be mentioned that the present Pope, Pope John Paul II is the only non-Italian Pope in recent history. No Pope ever came from France.

[VI.30] By the appearance of the fake holiness, the seat will be betrayed to the enemies, in the night when they thought to sleep safely; the people of Liege will march near Brabant

The election of the French Pope will not be a smooth one. Other prophecies indicate that some Cardinals will elect a rival Pope and a schism will arise in Vatican. Nostradamus says that this anti-Pope will betray Vatican to the invading troops, probably by trying to cut out a peace deal with them.

[VII.46] Paul the celibate will die three leagues from Rome, the two nearest flee the oppressed monster. When Mars will take up his horrible throne, the Cock, the Eagle of France & the Three Brothers

During the war in Italy and France, a Pope named Paul will die near Rome while other Cardinals flee to safety. This Paul is probably the anti-Pope, who inspite of compromising with the invaders will die in their hands during the war. At the same time France will be engulfed in war.

Alternatively, Pope John Paul II will die some distance away from Rome, probably assassinated, and the two successor Popes (rival Popes as described above) will try to flee when the war starts.

[II.93] Very near the Tiber presses death: Shortly before great inundation: The chief of the ship taken, thrown into the bilge: Castle, palace in conflagration.

The Pope or the Anti-Pope is captured and put to death near Rome. A great flood will occur at the same time - most probably resulting from the tidal waves arising out of the Comet strike. The St. Angelo Castle and the Vatican Palace burned down by the invading army.

[VIII.99] Through the powers of three temporal kings, the sacred seat will be put in another place, where the substance of the body and the spirit will be restored and received as the true seat

Before the Comet strikes earth, the French Pope will escape to safety, probably to the USA, helped by USA, UK and France and the Papal seat at Vatican will be shifted to the US and will be recognized as the true seat and the Pope as true Pope. The Anti-Pope will still be in Vatican, but will die later. In my opinion a French Cardinal named Poupard Paul (born 30.08.1930) or Roger Etchegaray (born 25.9.1922) is the likely candidate for Papal Seat.

[VI.22] In the land of the great heavenly temple, a nephew at London is murdered through false peace. The ship will then be schismatic, false liberty will be shouted abroad

When troubles are going on in Vatican over the Papacy, a notable person's nephew, probably someone from the Royal family, will be murdered while attending peace talks. Inspite of this, it will be said that the peace talk is a success. This has some bearing on the events leading to WW-III.

[II.41] The great star will burn for seven days and the cloud will make the sun appear double. The large mastiff will howl all night when the great pontiff changes his abode

The appearance of double sun probably refers to the Comet which will appear around this time suddenly and then collide with Earth. At the time Rome will continue to be on fire. The French Pope will be evacuated to the US for his safety before the Comet strikes. Nightly Air-raid sirens will sound like a big dog howling throughout the night.

[I.69] The great mountain, seven stadia round, after peace, war, famine, flooding. It will spread far, drowning great countries, even antiquities and their great foundations

Here the actual Comet-Strike is described. A round comet or meteor one mile (seven stadia) wide, as big as a mountain will hit an ocean causing giant tidal wave leading to devastation and submergence of many countries. From other quatrains, it seems that the Comet will break up in several pieces and large parts will strike the Atlantic and Mediterranean Oceans and the lands in Europe and USA causing tidal waves, floods, earthquakes and raining of burning fragments on cities and forests. From the description "antiquities", it seems that countries with "old" cultures like Greece, Italy etc. will be severely hit. A similar prophecy is there in the Biblical Book of Revelations 8:8 and 8:9 and in several other prophecies including those of Mother Shipton's. The effects of the comet-strike on the course of WW-III has been discussed separately in the page WW-III : When the Comet will run.

[II.43] During the appearance of the bearded star, the three great princes will be made enemies: Struck from the sky, peace earth quaking, Po, Tiber overflowing, serpent placed upon the shore.

Another reference to the Comet which strikes the earth when the war is going on. There will be earthquake and floods all over, particularly in Italy. Still, the war will continue.

[X.31] The Holy Empire will come to Germany, the Arabs will find open places; the asses will also want Carmania, the supporters completely covered with earth.

The invasion of Europe will now engulf Germany as the eastern forces move in without any opposition. All the resistance will crumble.

[V.73] The Church of God will be persecuted, and the holy temples will be pillaged; the mother will put out the child, naked in a shift. The Arabs will ally with the Poles

With  the general description of war in Europe, this quatrain has a strange twist that Arabs will ally with Poland, showing that this war is not simply an East-West war but has complex geopolitical equations. Some prophecies indicate that Russia will start attacking Europe and China will start attacking Asia at the same time. Maybe, Poland will side with Russia and subsequently for an alliance with the invading Arab forces to go against the western coalition.

[X.62] Near Sorbia in order to assail Hungary, the herald of Brudes will come to warn them. The Byzantine chief, Salona of Slavonia, he will come to convert then to Arab law

The eastern forces which now occupies Slovenia will move into Serbia to attack Hungary. Here the name to the leader is mentioned. Going by the techniques used by Nostradamus this is probably an anagram or a close sounding word of the actual name.

[IX.31] The trembling of earth at Mortara the tin island of St. George half sunk; drowsy with peace, war will arise, at Easter in the temple abysses opened

The tin island is Great Britain - where tin is mined, St. George is the patron saint of England. This quatrain specifies that during the war natural calamity will strike Britain. Earthquakes would strike it and sea water will flood a large area. It can be assumed from here that the floods (tidal waves) and earthquakes in Britain will result from the Comet striking the earth and as a result, Britain will be "half-sunk" i.e. all places except the highlands of Scotland.

[II.22] The aimless army will depart from Europe and join up close to the submerged island. The D'Arton fleet folds up its standard, the navel of the world takes over from a greater voice

Here D'Arton is probably an anagram of NATO. After losing the war in Europe and suffering devastation due to the tidal waves arising out of the Comet-strike, the remaining NATO fleet will assemble near England, which by then is partially submerged by sea water before fleeing to the US leaving Europe. The French Pope will leave with them, leaving the "navel of the world" Vatican  to the Anti-Pope or the invading army.

[II.91] At sunrise a great fire will be seen, noise and light extending towards the North. Within the globe death and cries are heard, death awaiting them through weapons, fire and famine

A general description of the Comet striking the earth. After the fragments enter the atmosphere, they will be burning from friction. The effects will be felt particularly in the Northern hemisphere, mostly in Europe and Northern America. WW-III is already in the full swing and will continue afterwards. Death will come to multitudes through war, the comet-strike and famine.

[VI.34] The machine of flying fire will come to trouble the great, besieged chief. Within there will be such sedition that those abandoned will be in despair

A general but very striking description ("machine of flying fire") of air raids on a besieged leader.

[IV.99] The brave eldest son of a king's daughter will drive the Celts back very far. He will use thunderbolts, so many in such an array, few and distant, then deep into the West

An Eastern army commander will defeat the French. Then he will concentrate on the Americas, launching missiles on them from Europe.

[V.98] At the 48th degree of the climacteric, the end of Cancer there is a very great drought. Fish in the sea, river and the lake boiled hectic, Bearn & Bigorre in distress from fire in the sky

Another description of a fragment of the Comet falling near the 48th parallel during July/August. The intensity of heat of  large burning fragments will boil the water of nearby sea, river and lakes. Burning comet pieces will rain down from the sky on the cities.

[VI.5] A very great famine by a pestilent wave will extend its long rain in the length of the Arctic pole. Samarobrin one hundred leagues from the hemisphere; they will live without law, exempt from politics

Biological weapon will be unleashed on the countries circling the Arctic Pole. One hundred leagues (approx. 270 miles) above the earth will circle a space craft. (Samarobrin?). Does Nostradamus mean that astronauts will be in a Space station (the only one now is the International Space Station) circling the earth with no one to bring them down? They will certainly "live without law, exempt from politics" in such a situation while the earth below is being devastated by WW-III and the Comet-strike. The International Space Station is situated approximately this far above.

[II.3] Because of heat like that of the sun upon the sea the fish around Negrepont will become half cooked. The local people will eat them when in Rhodes & Genoa there is a lack of food

A vivid description of the comet-strike or an atomic explosion near Italy - the heat like sun on the sea is so intense that fish will become half cooked. The people in the Italian coastal cities will be forced to eat dead fish from the sea because of lack of food.

[V.8] There will be let loose living fire and hidden death, fearful inside dreadful globes. By night the city will be reduced to rubble by the fleet, the city on fire, helpful to the enemy

A very striking description of a nuclear missile and bomb attack from a fleet in the sea which reduces an unspecified city to rubbles within a night. The description of living fire and hidden death inside dreadful globes is quite an imaginative description of nuclear bombs.

[V.54] From beyond the Black Sea and great Tartary, there will be a king who will come to see France. He will pass through Alania and Armenia and leave his bloody rod in Byzantium

It appears that a certain leader, probably from Russia, Central Asia or China will come to conquer France. Is this the Man from the East in II.29 ? It seems that Russia and China will ally with the Islamic forces in World War III. In fact such a large scale attack on Europe is possible when the might of a country like China or Russia is behind the Eastern Alliance.

[II.29] The man from the East will come out of his seat and will cross the Apennines to see France. He will cross through the sky, the seas and the snows and he will strike everyone with his rod.

Continuation of the description of the man from the East who will come to France with his great army. The 'Rod' described in this quatrain as well as in V.54 is some kind of new devastating weapon usind in WW-III.

[V.27] With fire and weapons, not far from the Black Sea, he will come from Persia to occupy Trebizond. Pharos and Mytilene tremble, the Sun is bright, the Adriatic sea covered with Arab blood.

A notable Iranian commander will come to fight in the Adriatic along with the Arabs. There will be losses in the eastern side too.

[VI.80] From Fez the kingdom will stretch out to those of Europe. The city blazes, the sword will slash; the great man of Asia with a great troop of blue by land and sea, he will drive out the cross to death.

Finally the great army from Asia led by a great leader will defeat the Euro-American allied forces and occupy Europe.

[VI.21] When those of the Northern Pole are united together in the East will be great fear and dread. A new man elected, supported by the great one who trembles, both Rhodes and Byzantium will be stained with Arab blood

Russia, who upto this point was either neutral or in the eastern alliance, probably after a change in its leadership, will somehow join US against the Eastern forces resulting in the weakening of the eastern position. A new commander of the joint allied forces (or a new President of USA) will take charge and the results will the the first defeat of the eastern forces in the Mediterranean and Turkey. This is probably the turning point of the war.

[II.89] One day the two great leaders will be friends; their great power will be seen to grow. The new land will be at the height of its power, to the man of blood the number is reported

US (new land) & Russia will ally in the war. The news will reach the leader of the eastern forces described as the "man of blood". Does "Man of Blood" mean a Chinese communist leader or the Arab leader?

[V.34] From the deepest part of the England-of-the-West, where the leader of Britain is staying; a fleet will enter Gironde through Blois, through wine and salt, fire hidden in casks

England-of-the-West is the USA, where the British Premier after fleeing from his submerged island is staying, will organise a force and purchase weapons ("fire hidden in casks") by raising money through taxation (wine and salt) and make a landing in France to counter the Eastern forces.

[X.80] The king of Europe will come like a griffon, accompanied by those of the North; he will lead a great troop of red and white, they will go against the king of Babylon

The French "King", Chiren (see later) with the help of British and US troops ( griffon is a mythical animal - a lion with the wings of an eagle) accompanied probably by troops from Canada and Russia will mount an offensive against the Eastern forces.

[II.79] The man with curly, black beard will subdue the cruel and proud nation through skill. The great CHIREN will take from afar all those captured by the Turkish banner

"Chiren" is repeatedly mentioned as a hero in the prophecies. Elsewhere he has been mentioned as the French Christian King of the world. Is Chiren the present French President Chiraq ? Or maybe the Canadian (french) President Cheretien as one of the visitors to this site suggested. Here it appears that Chiren will rescue those captured earlier by Turkish forces. Some say that "Chiren" is the same person who is the "awaited one" - the second coming of Jesus who will kill the Anti-Christ.

One physical description of the future king and emperor, provided by the seventeenth-century commentator David Poreaus, states that he will have a large forehead, dark eyes, brown hair, and a hawk nose (an accurate description of French President Jacques Chirac). He is "Huge, the brown-haired, the irresistible" to the Irish prophet St. Columbkille.

[I.4] In the world there will be one Monarch who will not long be in peace or alive: Then the fishing bark will be lost, it will be ruled to its greater detriment.

This quatrain speaks of a king who will have little peace during his reign and will rule for a short time. At that time "fishing bark" i.e Papacy will be lost.

[VI.28] The great Celt will enter Rome leading a crowd of exiled and banished. The great Pastor will put to death every man who was united over the Alps against the Cock

The great French leader (Chiren, mentioned earlier) will enter Rome victorious with the French Pope and other cardinals who fled Rome to reinstate the Pope. The people who collaborated with the eastern forces will be put to death.

[VI.70] The great Chyren will be the Chief of the World, after "Plus oultre" loved, feared and dreaded. His fame and praise go beyond the heavens and he will be greatly satisfied with the sole title of victor

After the War, Chiren will the the "Chief of the world", elsewhere described as the "King of the world" - a great leader for his victory. May be he is the person who is awaited for the "second coming of the Christ". However, inspite of all his fame he will be contended with the sole title of "Victor".

[V.74] Of Trojan blood with he will be born with a German heart and will rise to a very great power. He will drive out the foreign, Arabic nation and return the Church to her early glory

The Great French leader (Chiren, described before) will have a German and Greek background. His forces will defeat the eastern forces and return Vatican to its pre-war glory.

[VI.24] Mars & Jupiter under conjunction, a calamitous war under Cancer. A short time afterwards a new king will be anointed who will bring peace to the earth for a long time

A general prophecy about the war. During a June/July (Cancer), the war will occur. This is the same time when the Comet will strike earth, as described before. A new King, probably Chiren as mentioned before, will bring peace to the earth for a long time after winning the war.

[V.47] The great Arab will march well to the fore, he will be betrayed by the Byzantines: ancient Rhodes will come forward to meet him and greater harm through the other Hungarians

Somehow, the Arab forces will be betrayed by the Turks during their fight against the Greek and Hungarian forces.

[V.48] After the great affliction of the Rod two enemies will be defeated by them. A fleet from Africa will come forth to the Hungarians; dreadful deeds will occur on land and sea

Both sides will use "Rod" - a new weapon on each other, which has also been mentioned elsewhere. Finally a fleet from Africa will confront the Hungarians to save the Arabs in the battle.

[III.97] A new law will occupy a new land around Syria, Judea and Palestine. The great Arab Empire will crumble before the century of the sun is finished

This refers to the defeat of the Eastern forces in the war and the collapse of the Arab empire. Nostradamus probably foresaw this happening before the 20th Century drew to a close. However, like the famous 1999 prophecy, this event too has probably been deferred by human action and free will.

[V.81] The royal bird over the city of the sun will give a nightly warning for seven months; the Wall in the East will fall, thunder and lightening, in seven days the enemies directly to the gates

Western air force will bomb eastern positions near Rome for months. The "Wall in the East" probably signifies the Great Wall of China - its fall signifying the defeat of China during the end of the war.

[III.31] On the (battle) fields of Media, Arabia & Armenia, two great armies will assemble three times; near the border of Araxum the establishment of great Suliman will fall to the ground

The final battles of WW-III will be fought in Iran, Arabia and Central Asia. The defeat of the eastern forces will occur with the collapse of the empire of Suliman - the leader of the eastern forces. Probably Suliman is the charismatic Arab prince who set all these events in motion in the first place by overthrowing the governments in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran and building a great Arab empire.

[IV.34] The great man led captive from a foreign land, chained in gold, offered to King CHYREN. He who in Ausonia, Milan will lose the war and all his army put to fire and sword

After the defeat of the eastern forces in WW-III, their leader (Suliman?) is made a prisoner and brought before CHYREN or CHIREN. The eastern army capitulates in Italy and his army will be destroyed.

[IV.77] Selin king, Italy peaceful, kingdoms united by the Christian King of the World. When he dies he will want to lie in Blois territory, having chased the pirates from the sea

In this post WW-III scenario, Selin, earlier described as Chiren Selin, the French leader is termed as the 'hristian King of the World'. He will be buried in Blois when he dies after his victory in the epic battles of the World War III.

[V.78] The two will not remain allied for long; within the 13 years they give in to Arab power. There will be such a loss on both sides, that one will bless the bark (of Peter) and its leader

It is difficult to say which two sides is Nostradamus talking of. Probably the WW-III alliance of Russia with the West is mentioned here. But it is said that they will capitulate to the Arabs after 13 years of peace and there will be much loss on both sides. It is possible that another great war will start after 13 years. A reference is made here to the Vatican and the Pope. According to Malachi, the last Pope before the End of the World will be "Peter the Roman". This quatrain broadly agrees with other prophecies which says that peace will be established for sometime after WW-III but anarchy will start again and the End of the World (Three Days of Darkness) will come. If 2012 can be taken as the end of WW-III, the "End of the World" will come around 2025.

[VIII.59] Twice put up and twice cast down, the East will also weaken the West. Its adversary after several battles chased by sea will fail at the time of need

Wars fought between East and the West will also weaken the west severely even after winning the wars. The timing is a bit fuzzy - it is estimated from other prophecies that WW-III will take place around 2005 - 2007 - 2012. Then again after a period of unprecedented peace, wars will start up again. The turn of events is hard to predict at this point of time. These will be clear when time comes.

[X.74] The year of the great seventh number accomplished, it will appear at the time of the games of slaughter, not far from the age of the great millennium, when the dead will come out of their graves

As for the timing of the WW-III (the games of slaughter), it will be after the "Year of the great Seventh number", which is seven, "not far from the great millennium" i.e. the year 2007. By "it will appear", Nostradamus probably means the appearance or striking of the earth by a comet or meteor which he prophesized in another quatrain and is also mentioned in the Bible, bringing widespread devastation to the world already at war. Thus, the comet might strike the earth when the Third World War is going on. He further says that this time is not far from the age when "The dead will come out of their graves" - as mentioned in the Biblical Prophecy of Apocalypse. As is interpreted by many, there will be a period of peace following the WW-III after which the "End of the world" will take place, when the "Dead will come out of their graves".

[II.46] After great misery for mankind an even greater approaches when the great cycle of the centuries is renewed. It will rain blood, milk, famine, war and disease. In the sky will be seen a fire, dragging a trail of sparks

After great misery for mankind (World War III, which Nostradamus foresaw coming before the Millennium but got delayed due to collective human free will as explained before) an even greater misery (the so called "End of the World" event - see next quatrain) will occur when "the great cycle of the centuries is renewed". Millennium is the completion of the cycle of the centuries. Thus, this event will take place during the early part of the millennium. At the same time another very bright comet (a fire, dragging a trail of sparks) will be seen, signifying the inauspicious moment. The reference to the comet comes again and again in the prophecies although it is not clear how many comets he speaks of. One comet/asteroid might strike the earth during WW-III while another prominent one will be seen around this time, i.e. 2025. He expected the Arab War (WW-III) to be completed before the 20th century was finished. Probably he is off on all counts by 3 to 4 years. The "Even greater misery" might indicate the event popularly known as the "Three Days of Darkness", which according to Islamic and Christian religious prophecies will be the Judgement Day and bring an end to the present civilization. The sequence of events will be a bit more clear from the Mother Shipton's Prophecies.