“That is exactly the mindless idiotic complacency...”
What part of “The Russians have had thousands of nukes aimed at us for 60 years” do you not understand.
There are lots of countries with lots of nukes that hate lots of other countries. They dont dare start anything because they know they will be anhialated.
Which part of reckless deniable proliferation don't you understand?
Who are you going to retaliate against if a smuggled nuke goes off in Tel Aviv tomorrow? Hamas, who delivered it? Iran, who paid for it? North Korea, who supplied the weapon? China, who protected North Korea? Russia, helping them all, and ready with a thousand weapons to scare you off?
Pick your poison, at some point up that chain you stop. Everyone higher up that chain knows you will. They therefore know they can nuke your sorry backside and you'll like it.