[Serious] Is a limited nuclear exchange possible?

[Angrboda]

Let's examine four scenarios:

a) Russia uses a nuke to level an important Ukrainian city?

b) Russia uses a nuke on an eastern NATO country, let's assume Poland? (can be tactical nukes)

c) Russia or China uses a nuke to level a lower population U.S. city as a warning?

d) Russia begins using tactical nukes indiscriminately in Ukraine?

Are all of these likely to escalate into total nuclear annihilation, or is it more likely one side or the other will halt the escalation.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Let's examine four scenarios:

a) Russia uses a nuke to level an important Ukrainian city?

b) Russia uses a nuke on an eastern NATO country, let's assume Poland?  (can be tactical nukes)

c) Russia or China uses a nuke to level a lower population U.S. city as a warning?

d) Russia begins using tactical nukes indiscriminately in Ukraine?

Are all of these likely to escalate into total nuclear annihilation, or is it more likely one side or the other will halt the escalation.

I think the most likely outcome to any of those would be a tit-for-tat exchange of nukes, followed by a de-escalation - Russia nukes Gdańsk, NATO nukes Belgorod, then it’s done.

No one wants a full-scale nuclear war. Not Putin, not Kim, not Xi. No one. Why? Because it’s bad for business.

Boru

[Thumpalumpacus]

Not sure. I'd like to agree with Brian, but the possibility of it spiraling out of control seems fairly significant.

[onlinebiker]

All it takes to have a thoroughly fucked up situation is to add humans.


"Yes we can! Yes we can!"

[Angrboda]

Is Biden even in the loop regarding a strike on the U.S.? I wonder if they have standing orders.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Is Biden even in the loop regarding a strike on the U.S.?  I wonder if they have standing orders.

My understanding when I was in the service was that our alert bombers could be launched for preparatory orbiting based on HQ USAF orders, but that positive offensive orders were based on "football" codes. I would imagine that with the missile forces the protocol was similar, that forces under command could be alerted and prepped, but that a football code was required to actually turn the keys.

That implies to me that the President must be involved in the final decision.

[brewer]

Yes, but I'm not convinced I'd want to live in the aftermath, at least not for very long.

Fuck, time to buy more ammunition.

[onlinebiker]

Yes, but I'm not convinced I'd want to live in the aftermath, at least not for very long.

Fuck, time to buy more ammunition.

If they do have one - I would prefer a front row seat at ground zero.

Smile for the flash.

[brewer]

Yes, but I'm not convinced I'd want to live in the aftermath, at least not for very long.

Fuck, time to buy more ammunition.

If they do have one - I would prefer a front row seat at ground zero.

Smile for the flash.

I think you'd need to move, fall out boy.

[onlinebiker]

If they do have one - I would prefer a front row seat at ground zero.

Smile for the flash.

I think you'd need to move, fall out boy.

I just need to plant the field to read "Putin is a needledick" to get my very own MIRV targeted here......