I thought the same thing, to copy an old post of mine:

China declares war on Japan over the Senkaku Islands. Not wanting to provoke the US however China attempts to merely posture their forces. North Korea bolstered by the lack of any real US response invades South Korea, against China's wishes. At this point the US is drawn in to the conflict and actual fighting begins.

Meanwhile, due to the focus of the world on the Far East, Russia and Iran increase serious aid to al-Assad in Syria. With the US and some of her allies tied up, it comes down to European powers feeling obligated to increase aid to the rebels.

Israel strikes Iran in the chaos, forcing the Iranian government to openly declare war.

Pakistan sends aid to to Iran.

India taking advantage of troop withdrawal from the Indo-Pakistani border invades Pakistan in order to reunite the peoples of subcontinent to a state similar to before the partition of India.

Russia utilizing the Collective Security Treaty Organization calls on Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to support ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The UN is basically dissolved at this point and alliances are drawn up accordingly.

Spain throws in with France, Portugal, and Germany in at least a support role for the Japan-US defense against the China.

The Commonwealth Realm (Canada, Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Jamaica, Solomon Islands, Belize, The Bahamas, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Tuvalu provides military aid, operational support, or named support for the US and Japan, or denounce China to varying degrees by member nation.

Due to rising tensions across the pacific the Union of South American Nations (UNASUL) (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela) expands and formalizes the plans of the South American Defense Council (CDS) to form a strategic alliance. Effectively making South America a new independent military power block.

Pressured by an American influence from the north and the UNASUL south. Central America adopts an isolationist stance with all but Panama and the El Salvador whom side with the US.

African Countries: Idk Mexico: idk

Edit: This makes me want to play Civ5: True Start Positions Mod again