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Originally Posted by joegrundman
You know, geetrue, i wonder if this one of those apocalyptic fantasy things that some Christians seem to have strongly on their minds
Given you claim to have worked on boomers in the cold war, I'm surprised you hadn't realised, but the US has what is known as a second strike capability, and the ballistic missile submarines represent the key component of that capability.
The Russians/Soviets have/had the same capability
This is because both sides feared an unannounced first strike. What you call a sneak attack.
The existence of a comprehensive second strike capability was clearly advertised to the other side, because if the other side doesn't know about it, it does not function as a deterrence.
So this is the situation - Russia cannot capture Europe, as you suggest, without defeating the US - OK, i'm with you so far.
But the US cannot be destroyed in a nuclear first strike without Russia being destroyed in a second strike. Russia knows this.
Therefore russia will not attack the US in a first strike, and therefore Russia cannot capture all of Europe
Russia knows this, so therefore whatever Russia's aim is in this game, the eventual capture of Europe is not it.
I hope this makes you feel better  |
True, I have the Book (that's what Muslims call the bible), but this is more along the lines, "what if".
What if Putin thought he could win a first strike war with the fear factor of another strike from Russia on the way if America didn't stand down ... they are on a ship building plan with their new oil wealth ... all of the players aren't on the field yet.
Yes, I am aware of America's second strike ability. I was part of that in the late 60's where we would recieve a message from the joint chiefs of staff to test our readiness. I often wondered if they really got out of bed to test our readiness or if they just came to work one morning and decided to push the "this is a test of all submarines on patrol", but anyway yes I know and thanks to the free public information on the internet and the freedom of our country anyone can pre-figure how many ships and aircraft and men the USA has ready at all times.
Just pretend were having coffee together, which I am right now having in the Pacfic Northwest, a good cup of Kona coffee in fact.
What would be left after a first strike capability?
What would be left after we launch against a first strike scenero?
Not much is my answer ... sure Russia would be hurting population wise, military wise I'm not too sure. They have those darn mobile ICBM launchers in reserve of which they probably wouldn't use on a first strike. They have submarines off the east and west coast within striking distance. Hell with a 4,500 mile range they can launch from port, reload and boogie out to sea before we could hit back.
The threat of more war is the fear factor and I hate to bring up this subject (just pretend I didn't), but who would be flying around in Airforce One? Who would have to make that decision to continue figting on or stand down?
You can prefigure a first strike target list just like I can ... all we have left are a few planes on the way to targets inside Russia with batteries of AM's waiting for them. FBM's are nice out at sea, but how many are in ports already demolished from a first strike.
The subs can't resupply themselves, right? We have orders to shoot a few missiles and then make a run for it in case they back track us.
We figured we had 15 minutes in the late 60's when we could only go 25 kts which is very noisey and costly to any listening devices nearby.
I fear a stand down order to protect what life is left in the USA. Colorado would be gone, ICBM's gone, air bases, naval ports, weapon storage places all gone. All US naval fleets are in easy range of the enemy near or on the way to the mother land of Russia.
Hence the question: When would a sneak attack war be over?"
Sure Russia would be hurting, but who in Russia would be left? Putin and his generals and his mind set.
Fear is the weapon of choice ... the weapon they use very well too.
Plus all of this is remote in just a few more years modern weapons would prevent a first strike by either nation.
Plus I liked Dr Strange Love with that guy jumping on the bomb in the B-52 and riding it down better than I did "On the Beach".