Trump dismantles federal government; turns treasury into slush fund; builds military to prevent

[Jonny Appleseed]

Northern/Western states from seceding because he's mooching off their successful economies.

How likely? I'm not suggesting we reach succession but that military deterrents lampshades that issue entirely.

[Nitram]

1. You are assuming the military would follow an idiot like Trump.

I doubt it.

[Jonny Appleseed]

2. Key word is: "deterrent"

If Russia/US fired their entire nuclear arsenal there's an extremely large chance that the other side doesn't order a retaliatory strike, but that doesn't affect the conceptual theory behind deterrence.

[Nitram]

3. Why is there "an extremely large chance" that the other side doesn't...

order a retaliatory strike?

[Jonny Appleseed]

4. It's a fairly mainstream school of though regarding nuclear deterrence

Just look at the actions of Stanislav Petrov. Nobody wants to destroy the world. Many would rather not drag everyone into the grave with their country, soon to be a nuclear crater. Dooming the human race just because you're doomed yourself.

[Nitram]

5. If either country launched their entire arsenal, nuclear winter would end all civilization as

we know it.