Let's Make One Point Clear About Nuclear Weapons

There has been some discussion by Some Very Serious People as to whether or not Putin will use nuclear weapons, including maybe nuking weapons assembly points in Poland or Romania.

Let's be clear on one thing: Nuclear weapons strategy is probably one of the simplest concepts around. it comes down to this:

If You Nuke Us, We Will Nuke You.

There is no nuance to be had in that. Peace between the superpowers has rested on that concept since the Soviet Union acquired nuclear weapons.

Those who don't comprehend that, who don't undertand that, should not be allowed to handle sharp objects.

The problem is that there is no bright line between "tactical nuclear weapons" and "strategic nuclear weapons". What is tactical to one side is strategic to another, and, also keep in mind, in the current brouhaha in Europe, there are at least three Western nations with nuclear weapons.

As I said a month or so ago, Admiral Painter had it right:

If the Russians use a nuclear weapon, the time left to enjoy civilization may well be measured in hours.

"This business will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it."