There is no doubt it would be a lose lose situation. In ref to the cold war, let me say this. The Soviet Union was pushing an irrational system, but they were pushing it rationally. They did not start a nuclear war, for exactly the reason you mentioned. Islam, on the other hand, is pushing an irrational system, but they are pushing it irrationally. There is the difference. They may not care about ending civilization, the way the Soviets did. That is a very dangerous situation indeed. There is no doubt in my mind, they would use nucs if they could, and they may yet. I hope not, but they may.