4 ms·

>US has sophisticated missile defense systems and enough nukes to send the entire continent of asia back to the stone age So does China with the US.

asdff 5y ago
China's arsenal is almost a full order of magnitude smaller than just what the US has currently deployed and ready for launch (not counting the rest of the stockpile which is like 4x the size). We have enough weaponry to completely overwhelm their defenses. China does not.
- IX-103 5y ago
  Not to mention that the US deployed strategic arms in more diverse locations (other countries), making a first strike against them that takes out most of their response capability difficult to pull off successfully.
  - teawrecks 5y ago
    Wtf? Why are people in this thread acting like the nuclear option is an actual option. This isn't StarCraft where you trade into the enemy forces, and as long as you cripple their economy you win. You just killed billions of innocent people. Everyone lost. Y'all need to go watch War Games again. The only winning move is not to play.
    - deleted 5y ago
      [deleted]
- mthoms 5y ago
  So China will only nuke 60% of the US population instead of the 90% casualties we will inflict on them? Huzzah! That will show 'em!
  - systemvoltage 5y ago
    There is also the US National Missile Defense: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_national_missile_defense https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_national_missile...
    - slapfrog 5y ago
      I suggest you read the article you linked carefully. Follow the links to the articles of each of the constituent programs, and read those articles carefully with a critical eye. Pay particular attention to the number of interceptors those programs actually have, the type of missile those systems are designed to intercept, and the locations of the installations. You can use the "measure distance" tool on google maps to plot out great arcs to get an idea of what sort of threat those installations are meant to counter. I'll sum it up for you: The US has some defense against countries like North Korea. Not against Russia, nor even China. But don't take my word for it, read those articles carefully, paying attention to the details.
- quickthrowman 5y ago
  “ Mr. President, I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed. But I do say no more than ten to twenty million killed, tops. Uh, depending on the breaks.” -General Buck Turgidson, Dr Strangelove Here it is in video form, watch it so you can see how ridiculous your idea is: https://youtube.com/watch?v=HgyjlqhiTV8 https://youtube.com/watch?v=HgyjlqhiTV8
  - tkojames 5y ago
    The blueray 4k they released for Dr Strangelove looks amazing. Highly recommend watching it.
  - asdff 5y ago
    More chilling quotes happened in real life: "SIOP-62 included the virtual obliteration of the tiny country of Albania because within its borders sat huge Soviet air-defense radar, which had to be taken out with high assurance. Power smiled at Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and said with a mock straight face: "Well, Mr. Secretary, I hope you don't have any friends or relations in Albania, because we are just going to have to wipe it out."" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Integrated_Operational_Plan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Integrated_Operational_...

asdff 5y ago

China's arsenal is almost a full order of magnitude smaller than just what the US has currently deployed and ready for launch (not counting the rest of the stockpile which is like 4x the size). We have enough weaponry to completely overwhelm their defenses. China does not.

IX-103 5y ago
Not to mention that the US deployed strategic arms in more diverse locations (other countries), making a first strike against them that takes out most of their response capability difficult to pull off successfully.
- teawrecks 5y ago
  Wtf? Why are people in this thread acting like the nuclear option is an actual option. This isn't StarCraft where you trade into the enemy forces, and as long as you cripple their economy you win. You just killed billions of innocent people. Everyone lost. Y'all need to go watch War Games again. The only winning move is not to play.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
mthoms 5y ago
So China will only nuke 60% of the US population instead of the 90% casualties we will inflict on them? Huzzah! That will show 'em!
- systemvoltage 5y ago
  There is also the US National Missile Defense: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_national_missile_defense https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_national_missile...
  - slapfrog 5y ago
    I suggest you read the article you linked carefully. Follow the links to the articles of each of the constituent programs, and read those articles carefully with a critical eye. Pay particular attention to the number of interceptors those programs actually have, the type of missile those systems are designed to intercept, and the locations of the installations. You can use the "measure distance" tool on google maps to plot out great arcs to get an idea of what sort of threat those installations are meant to counter. I'll sum it up for you: The US has some defense against countries like North Korea. Not against Russia, nor even China. But don't take my word for it, read those articles carefully, paying attention to the details.
quickthrowman 5y ago
“ Mr. President, I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed. But I do say no more than ten to twenty million killed, tops. Uh, depending on the breaks.” -General Buck Turgidson, Dr Strangelove Here it is in video form, watch it so you can see how ridiculous your idea is: https://youtube.com/watch?v=HgyjlqhiTV8 https://youtube.com/watch?v=HgyjlqhiTV8
- tkojames 5y ago
  The blueray 4k they released for Dr Strangelove looks amazing. Highly recommend watching it.
- asdff 5y ago
  More chilling quotes happened in real life: "SIOP-62 included the virtual obliteration of the tiny country of Albania because within its borders sat huge Soviet air-defense radar, which had to be taken out with high assurance. Power smiled at Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and said with a mock straight face: "Well, Mr. Secretary, I hope you don't have any friends or relations in Albania, because we are just going to have to wipe it out."" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Integrated_Operational_Plan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Integrated_Operational_...