I think we can all agree that nuclear weapons are best not used but when they are used on us then let the hounds of hell loose. To answer your question, YES.
I think that's a poor analogy for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that that the MAD doctrine is about mutual assured destruction. That is, it's a suicide tactic designed to make the idea of a nuclear exchange unthinkable, not a great strategy for fighting a war you want to win.