But the number would be closer to 12 than to the likely two or three in today's world.
The number, in today's world, would be closer to two or three than it would be to 12. 
mnli hypothesis: The number, in today's world, would be closer to two or three than it would be to 12.  premise: But the number would be closer to 12 than to the likely two or three in today's world.