There is certainly the scenario that existed in WWI: one power has nukes, the other does not. The other scenario reduces to that one: a first strike takes out the other power’s nukes. With regard to the latter, don’t forget that neither Putin nor Xi would be bothered by losing 20% of their populations if it meant the total destruction of the US.
Vietnam nukes = 0; USA nukes = 3,500. No usage?
The other scenario reduces to that one: a first strike takes out the other power’s nukes.
Too risky. Impossible to do a 100% first kill. Nuke subs also makes this impossible.
With regard to the latter, don’t forget that neither Putin nor Xi would be bothered by losing 20% of their populations if it meant the total destruction of the US.
Surrounded by allies in 1945 Hitler chose not to use gas, the equivalent of nukes in 1945.