I shall add that only he who has decided to commit suicide can start a nuclear war in the hope of emerging a victor from it. No matter what the attacker might possess, no matter what method of unleashing nuclear war he chooses, he will not attain his aims. Retribution will inevitably ensue.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Nuclear war cannot be won; any attacker will face inevitable retaliation and destruction regardless of their initial advantage.
- In plain terms
- You cannot win a nuclear war.
- What can you take from it?
- Mutual destruction prevents victory.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can anything justify nuclear war?
- Is deterrence reliable?
Another view
It assumes rational actors will always retaliate rather than collapse.
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