I have had enough. The US should send in

[usonian]

12. Putin might use a "limited" nuclear strike or show.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16453145

I shared an article discussing this possibility, in the context, I believe, of airing it out "in advance" to help prevent it from happening. My post adds info on "pre-bunking" as contrasted with de-bunking.

PS: I trust that President Biden has the best intelligence, advice and judgment. I won't second guess.

Russia Really Could Use A Nuclear Weapon In The Ukraine Conflict - The DEFCON Warning System

https://defconwarningsystem.com/2022/03/07/russia-really-could-use-a-nuclear-weapon-in-the-ukraine-conflict/

—————snip——————-

The Russian President vastly misread the room.
And now Russia is stuck. It has three options:
1. Push for a quick resolution.

2. Get stuck in a quagmire.

3. Withdraw in humiliation.


A quick resolution can take two forms. It can be Ukraine’s surrender or a negotiation.
A negotiated settlement could happen, but for now the terms are not something Ukraine is willing to swallow. Maybe after a few more cities are taken, that might change.

Russia doesn’t want to get stuck in Ukraine for long. Especially now that it virtually has no economy. Wars cost money and a citizenry who didn’t want the war in the first place is unlikely to tolerate economic hardship.

And if anyone thinks Russia is going to withdraw and face a humiliating defeat at the hands of Ukraine…well, bridge/sale/you get the idea.

Russia wants a quick end to the war. End the Russian losses and end the economic devastation. If Ukraine is unwilling to give them a quick end, what is Russia to do?

And now here is where the calculus gets dangerous.

Already we see Russia attempting to wear down Ukraine by attacking civilians. They are using illegal weapons and targeting illegal targets. Russia is already accused of war crimes.

Inside Russia, the Russian President is facing a military who didn’t want the war and an inner circle that is beginning to think maybe the President needs to be “delt with, Russian style”. After all, a head on a pike would certainly end the war and allow Russia to withdraw with some honour, putting all the blame for the war on the dead guy.

So here is what Russia is facing. And time is running out. Some calculations say Russia can hold out until June. Three months? Can their economy last that long? Ukraine doesn’t need to win. They just need to hold out until Russia collapses.

This brings us to the dangerous option Russia has. A way to possibly end the war quickly.

A nuclear attack, a demonstration bomb over the sea or over Ukraine.
From Russia’s point of view, they could see such an event propelling Ukraine to surrender. Additionally, Russia may think that NATO, fearing what Russia is capable of, would refrain from responding. After all, it wasn’t NATO that was attacked, and any response would certainly invite Russia to counterattack on their home soil.
Would Russia risk it? It’s unthinkable. But is it impossible?

The DEFCON Warning System believes that this is an option that is on the table. Russia has many options. This is one of them. Doesn’t mean they’ll do it. In fact, let’s go so far as to say they won’t do it. But it is something that is considered.