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Forgive me for asking a dumb question, but how long has the war been going on now? I'm asking this because I'm curious as to why the nukes aren't already flying. It's always been my understanding that in a war scenario between NATO and the Warsaw Pact (or U.S. and U.S.S.R., to be frank) there would be a period of tension (like the Cuban Missile Crisis), followed by someone on the ground screwing up and starting a battle(like a ship being sunk), followed by heavier escalation until someone panics and starts lobbing tactical nukes. Which would then be followed by one or both sides pushing the button and launching their nukes. And I've heard of the "if one flies, they all fly" idea, meaning that in such a situation, every nuclear power on Earth would launch their nukes.

I'm asking this because I've recently read an interesting and believable alt.history version of the Cuban Missile Crisis on alternatehistory.com. Basically in that scenario, the U.S., Britain and Western and Eastern Europe are heavily damaged, whereas the Soviet Union loses something like 75 % of its population and for all practical purposes ceases to exist. Of course, TLW is set in this decade, so the Soviets are truly capable of MAD in this case.

Which begs my next question. When the nukes eventually fly (as they surely will), will it be MAD or will it be a limited nuclear war? Is a limited nuclear war even possible? It has always seemed to me that the Soviets in particular were paranoid about the West's intentions and their own security, no doubt because of the trauma of having their country invaded twice in the space of 25 years and suffering heavy losses. I'm sure everyone knows about Stanislav Petrov and the near miss with Able Archer back in 1983. It seems to me that if the Soviets were staring at nuclear war in the face, they would go with everything they got, rather than use a part of their armament and risk the rest being destroyed in the U.S. counter-attack (or pre-emptive attack).

Just some thoughts.

Regards,

Mikey