Is anyone that insane?

[red_elk]

Yes. USSR didn't have to worry about conventional defeat.

 

[LoneRebel]

Yes. USSR didn't have to worry about conventional defeat.

So they could afford to do it. That makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Interesting. Yes, no first use, that's the principle I was thinking of. So Russia does not subscribe to "no first use", even though the USSR did?

The USSR held to 'no first use' because they had a huge advantage in conventional weapons. When that advantage evaporated so did their adherence to no first use. NATO never has claimed no first use, and was in fact built on first use policy.

As to the rest of your argument, what else would Russia have done besides installing friendly governments? So do you think the US commitment to first use, not only in self defense but in defense of allies, was evil? Do you think it still is?

 

[Ayatollah So]

I don't even have to read the post. The title alone - Is anyone that insane? - demands a Yes answer, regardless of context. Just like "could anyone possibly be that stupid?"

it is not surprising to learn that a great astronomer said: “Two things are infinite, as far as we know – the universe and human stupidity.” To-day we know that this statement is not quite correct. Einstein has proved that the universe is limited.

Timsup, I love your signature.

 

[kochman]

So again, do you believe they would use nukes to avert defeat in a conventional war?

That was exactly the NATO plan if a ground war started in Europe, because the Warsaw Pact armies vastly outnumbered those of NATO.

 

[gay_Aleks]

In quantity, however what of quality?

 

[Timsup2nothin]

In quantity, however what of quality?

At the time the quality was certainly similar enough that the overwhelming numerical advantage would have carried the day.

 

[AdamCrock]

Either way a full-scale land war in Europe probably means Nuclear Apocalypse for us all regardless of who wins - if that's true soldiers should defy their commanders and cease all fighting to avert this tragedy if not we're doomed and furthermore a failure as a species.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

I thought that the main purpose of nuclear deterrence was to prevent the other side from nuking you?

Let's see, what else would NATO do if they won besides installing a friendly government? Put the old one on trial. Maybe demand reparations. Demand disarmament. Maybe even occupy the country for a few years. Certainly far better than everyone being dead.

The Russian nation and people would not cease to exist if NATO defeated them in a conventional war. So if the Russian leadership were to consider doing this if they were facing defeat, then I'd say they're more worried about saving their own hides than their people (who will die in a nuclear apocalypse thanks to their actions). Kind of like certain governments in the 1940s, who thankfully didn't have nuclear weapons.

Lets see, NATOs conventional forces are overrunning russian defenses. In last atempt to stop the advance Russians send theirs flocks of ICBMs on NATO homelands. Eventually Russia is defeated but the only liveable place remains Russia itself. So everyone left alive gets assimilated into it and Russia wins cultural victory.

 

[LoneRebel]

Lets see, NATOs conventional forces are overrunning russian defenses. In last atempt to stop the advance Russians send theirs flocks of ICBMs on NATO homelands. Eventually Russia is defeated but the only liveable place remains Russia itself. So everyone left alive gets assimilated into it and Russia wins cultural victory.

But then if the rest of the world migrated to Russia, it wouldn't be Russia anymore. Russia would suffer defeat by immigration.

 

[red_elk]

Lets see, NATOs conventional forces are overrunning russian defenses. In last atempt to stop the advance Russians send theirs flocks of ICBMs on NATO homelands.

Tactical nukes would be used first against military targets. Enemy airfields, military bases, carriers, advancing forces, etc. It will be enough to stop invaders, and nuclear apocalypse scenario possible if the situation escalates to the point where both sides use strategic nukes (SLBMs, ICBMs) against each other.

 

[timtofly]

But then if the rest of the world migrated to Russia, it wouldn't be Russia anymore. Russia would suffer defeat by immigration.

I thought Russia actually uses her internment camps?

 

[Daw]

That is why I always said Russia should join NATO for the sake of the world's safety.