The risk of nuclear war between the US and Russia

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Debate & Discussion > The risk of nuclear war between the US and Russia

Talmonis: Jun 24, 2012; The fairy of forgiveness has removed your red text.

My main fear is Putin somehow losing his grip on power, leading to him lashing out at every one of his perceived enemies as he goes down. He seems the type that would burn the world to the ground out of spite. Trump as well, but to a slightly lesser degree (that and a general would just put one in the back of his head before a tantrum at the football could end the world).

# ¿ Jan 19, 2017 15:28

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# ¿ May 14, 2024 06:18

Talmonis: Jun 24, 2012; The fairy of forgiveness has removed your red text.

Chomskyan posted:

Yes, I suppose the cabinet could literally carry out a coup. Very insightful as always.

It wouldn't be a member of his Cabinet. It'd likely be a member of the Joint Chiefs putting a round in the back of the madman's head and telling the silos to stand down. Anything less would be a violation of their oath.

# ¿ Jan 20, 2017 15:42

Talmonis: Jun 24, 2012; The fairy of forgiveness has removed your red text.

axeil posted:

China only has 4 ballistic missile submarines (the Type 094 or Jin class) which may or may not even be deployed. They carry 12 nuclear missiles each. The US has 18 Ohio-class submarines somewhere in the water right now, each which has 24 Trident II nuclear missiles.

It is unclear if 4 subs is enough to serve as a valid 2nd strike option as I am not a nuclear strategist, only someone who's studied a lot of game theory. 18 Ohio-class subs however are considered a valid amount for full second-strike capabilities so somewhere between 0 and 432 missiles are needed for a second strike threat to be credible.

And yes, Israel is a major issue. Of course they deny that they have nukes, but everyone knows they do. This is why they've had the Samson policy of launching all their nukes at everyone if they are ever in danger of being destroyed even if by conventional forces. It's a fairly crazy policy but one they need to maintain (and maintain credibly) to avoid being nuked immediately if poo poo goes south.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson_Option

See, this sort of poo poo is why nobody likes Israel. Losing a conventional war, they promise to lash out at civilians around the world for not fighting their war for them. Here's hoping someone manages to sabotage their entire arsenal someday, before they murder billions.

Hooray for that being debunked. Granted, I can see Bibi and Likud doing something so callous, much like Putin and Trump.

Talmonis fucked around with this message at 22:25 on Jan 20, 2017

# ¿ Jan 20, 2017 22:22

Talmonis: Jun 24, 2012; The fairy of forgiveness has removed your red text.

Three-Phase posted:

Nuclear EMP. China, Russia, or North Korea could do it. You can shut the entire country down with one weapon at the right altitude. It could even be in a satellite in low-earth orbit.

Oh sure, but thankfully that wouldn't stop 2nd strike from the sub force wiping out the perpetrator, maintaining the deterrant.

# ¿ Jan 20, 2017 22:30

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