The aggressor too should know that the preemptive use of nuclear weapons would not insure victory. With modern detection systems and the combat readiness of the Soviet Union's strategic nuclear forces, the United States would not be able to deal a crippling blow to the socialist countries. The aggressor will not be able to evade an all-crushing retaliatory strike.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The text argues that starting a nuclear war does not guarantee winning because retaliation is inevitable due to modern detection and readiness.
- In plain terms
- Nuclear attacks cannot ensure victory because the enemy will always strike back.
- What can you take from it?
- Nuclear war guarantees mutual destruction rather than victory.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can deterrence ever be reliable?
- What defines victory in total war?
Another view
The quote assumes rational actors and fixed capabilities which may not hold in all scenarios.
More from Dmitriy Ustinov
Frankly, we doubt the veracity and seriousness of the United States in regard to achieving results that would be acceptable to both sides in Geneva.
Permalink to quote #3 If the present White House leadership runs the gauntlet of common sense and the people's will for peace and challenges us by starting MX missile deployment, th…
Permalink to quote #2 Could anyone in his right mind speak seriously of any limited nuclear war? It should be quite clear that the aggressor's actions will instantly and inevitably …
Permalink to quote #1
Related quotes
As a military man who has given half a century of active Service, I say in all sincerity that the nuclear arms race has no military purpose. Wars cannot be fou…
Louis MountbattenLouis Mountbatten quote #1 If the present White House leadership runs the gauntlet of common sense and the people's will for peace and challenges us by starting MX missile deployment, th…
Dmitriy UstinovDmitriy Ustinov quote #2 Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the war on terrorism have reduced the pace of military transformation and have revealed our lack of preparation for defe…
Barack ObamaBarack Obama quote #8