>> So we return to the MAD strategy.
From a nuclear perspective, I don’t think “MAD” ever went away completely, at least, not with the Chinese and Rooskies.
But our relationship with a lot of these countries is asymmetric. A large part of that is that we’ve lost our will to remain soverign. And they all know it. I think today’s China is much more willing to (e.g.) attack Taiwan or Japan, and threaten heavy-handed action (e.g. nuclear strike on the West Coast) if we intervene. Not because they think they would win the confrontation, but because they are willing to bet that President (e.g.) Obama (or even McCain) WON’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BUT “TAWK”.
>> BTW, your screen name seems prophetic.
Heh. Pay attention kids! Learn from my example! A coffee addiction and internet political forums are a dangerous mix...
Oh, God..........a new version of "thinking about the unthinkable" [H. Kahn - 1962] groan. ;-)