In the 60s the US contemplated nuking China in response to a Soviet strike on the US: "In 2012, the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) d

In the 60s the US contemplated nuking China in response to a Soviet strike on the US: "In 2012, the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) declassified an important document on the pre-delegation instructions approved by President Lyndon Johnson in early 1964. Under the instructions, if the Soviet Union or China launched a nuclear attack on the United States that knocked the president or his successor out of action, making communication impossible, U.S. commanders-in-chief of unified or specified commands (such as Strategic Air Command or European Command) had the authority to retaliate against the entire Sino-Soviet bloc, even if some Soviet allies or China had not launched an attack." https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/nuclear-vault/2018-08-15/us-nuclear-war-plan-option-sought-destruction-china-soviet-union-viable-societies https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/nuclear-vault/2018-0...