Sure, nuclear weapons exist in the context of the war, but what I mean is that the alternative to protracted standoff bombing of cities into rubble is a nuclear

Sure, nuclear weapons exist in the context of the war, but what I mean is that the alternative to protracted standoff bombing of cities into rubble is a nuclear attack (which is basically the same thing but faster). I suppose the other option is a good old medieval-style siege where you literally starve the cities out (add biowarfare for extra Hague points), but statically camping outside a city is not very safe unless it's the only enemy city.