The Guardian calls for NATO to declare war on Russia
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So here's what I don't understand: NATO's motto is "an attack on one is an attack on all", but that means the reverse is also true- war waged with a single NATO state means war with all 30.
Why doesn't Russia simply state that a war against 30 nations is an existential threat that justifies the full use of its military, to include nuclear weapons? And that in order to maximize its chances for survival, upon indications that a war has begun it will immediately launch nuclear weapons at the capitals of every NATO state with the remainder of its arsenal being targeted to maximize damage to the US and the UK.
I mean, sure, Russia would get glassed too, but that's cold comfort when it has effectively destroyed every country in western Europe and the United States. Basically, if they want a de-escalate this they need to convince NATO that it will result in World War III if they intervene.
I believe they already have, and Western media portrayed it as "Madman Putin Must Be Stopped - Threatens to Destroy World With Nuclear Weapons".
That’s kind of the point of mutually assured destruction and why it’s nothing more than sending arms and money to Ukraine. They did the same in Korea and Vietnam, and we did it to each other in Afghanistan. This is just the new proxy front of a new Cold War.
Part of the reason why there’s no nato forces in Ukraine is for that very reason. Russia is probably being a bit measured with its Sabre rattling as well since taking Ukraine on paper should not have been this difficult for them. They aren’t losing. But this isn’t the similar to the 6 day war results anyone was expecting either. Which leads to a wide range of questions from their command structure to does their tech actually perform as well as they say it does. Which also may have them doubting their delivery method for their bombs.
I wouldn't take too much credit from them. They know all eyes are on them right now and likely don't want to show off every tool in their arsenal. They are probably not operating anywhere near their peak just so they have aces left in case things do escalate.
The whole war stinks from both sides on how its played out, so I wouldn't be surprised if its being drug out for some unseen objective either side is waiting on the other for.
The Soviets did send combat troops to fight in (North) Korea and Vietnam (North Vietnam, also KGB in Laos).
I think it's a threat that is so obvious that it need not be made. Though I think they would start with tactical nukes, and move to strategic ones only when NATO reacts with nukes.
And the problem with threats is that they have to have credibility. In the scenario where it would be necessary for Russia to make the threat, NATO may not believe that Russia would react to war by launching a suicidal rain of nukes.
Unfortunately, this all makes wholesale destruction so much more likely.