The United States and the USSR both endured(/ing) what could vaguely be described as an Oligarchic coup, which IMO are not likely scenarios to result in a vindictive nuclear first-strike. They are both still imperial powers and too far away for direct conflict. Continuing the dance of proxy wars is still preferable to any nuclear exchange. There are not any countries that are likely to put the US into a China/Taiwan or Russia/Ukraine situation, so the US will probably continue to decline/collapse without the likelyhood of a vindictive nuclear first-strike.
I do have to admit, Trump is a bit of a wild-card, so he might do one anyways, but the ruling class itself would not be interested.
I think the bigger threat would be from whatever military figure happens to be standing next to the button in the aftermath of an all-at-once collapse of legitimacy. I’ve heard stories that evangelical types anxious for apocalypse and rapture like getting assigned to nuclear silos… while I’m not sure how accurate that is, the thought gives me pause.
The United States and the USSR both endured(/ing) what could vaguely be described as an Oligarchic coup, which IMO are not likely scenarios to result in a vindictive nuclear first-strike. They are both still imperial powers and too far away for direct conflict. Continuing the dance of proxy wars is still preferable to any nuclear exchange. There are not any countries that are likely to put the US into a China/Taiwan or Russia/Ukraine situation, so the US will probably continue to decline/collapse without the likelyhood of a vindictive nuclear first-strike.
I do have to admit, Trump is a bit of a wild-card, so he might do one anyways, but the ruling class itself would not be interested.
I think the bigger threat would be from whatever military figure happens to be standing next to the button in the aftermath of an all-at-once collapse of legitimacy. I’ve heard stories that evangelical types anxious for apocalypse and rapture like getting assigned to nuclear silos… while I’m not sure how accurate that is, the thought gives me pause.