> In a great-power conflict [...] the U.S. military is fucked anyway, but then, so is the opposing power. Perhaps that's the best we can hope for, because it's

> In a great-power conflict [...] the U.S. military is fucked anyway, but then, so is the opposing power. Perhaps that's the best we can hope for, because it's a pretty strong incentive not to start great-power conflicts in the first place. Yes. That is indeed the concept of a (nuclear) deterrent.