By definition the US cannot be “third world.”

First world: the US and its allies.

Second world: the Soviet Union and its allies.

Third world: these were unaligned countries. Typically poor and not worth the great powers squabbling over during the Cold War, hence how “third world” became synonymous with poverty.

Though, I suppose if we were to deeply delve into the demographics, there are elements of American society that experience levels of violence more typically seen in the more violent third world countries. Black communities experience very high levels of violence, significantly higher than Hispanic communities which themselves experience higher levels than white sections of society.

Also, “war zone” seems to have lost most of its meaning these days. I remember being in the car when a reported described the aftermath of some natural disaster as being a “war zone.” My dad, a veteran of actual wars, lost it. Years later, I grew up and found myself in actual war zones. I get it now.

Violent scenes - such as a shoot out at a funeral - are shocking, but actual war zones are special, a league of their own, etc. The scale, intensity and depth of violence is just otherworldly. Also, the dismembered bodies. And the maimed children. That will always stay with me. Kids who had arms and legs cut off out of spite… fucking sick.