Sideshow Bob
Banned
There are several issues that are probably worth bearing in mind.
Both sides in the Cold War had vastly inflated opinions of what their enemies could do. The USSR’s exact capabilities weren’t always known to NATO analysts (and Clancy, a novelist, might not have had access to such reports) and writers tended to either underestimate (Dale Brown) or overestimate. This isn’t exactly Clancy’s fault. Someone writing today would have been more accurate. They might not have been more exciting.
The Russian plan is exactly what the Russians intended to do, with the possible exception of Iceland. (It makes sense that they would want to do it, but they might not be able to do it.) They relied heavily on commando units to sow chaos and confusion in NATO’s path. We could expect to see them using their links to Communist Party-like groups and other organisations to manipulate the West. Deception was pretty much the Russian stock-in-trade. They deceived Hitler in 1944-45 and wouldn’t see any reason not to deceive NATO.
Aftermath…the USSR is probably going to quake apart. They’ve just been beaten in a war. Poland and East Germany will probably want to gain independence. The Generals in charge may agree to let them go or dig in for a fight. NATO may or may not provide support. I’m guessing not because of the nukes. Post-war, the US will probably thrust a great deal more money into its military. There will probably be a major depression in Germany as a result of the war damage. The French and British got off lighter
Bob
Both sides in the Cold War had vastly inflated opinions of what their enemies could do. The USSR’s exact capabilities weren’t always known to NATO analysts (and Clancy, a novelist, might not have had access to such reports) and writers tended to either underestimate (Dale Brown) or overestimate. This isn’t exactly Clancy’s fault. Someone writing today would have been more accurate. They might not have been more exciting.
The Russian plan is exactly what the Russians intended to do, with the possible exception of Iceland. (It makes sense that they would want to do it, but they might not be able to do it.) They relied heavily on commando units to sow chaos and confusion in NATO’s path. We could expect to see them using their links to Communist Party-like groups and other organisations to manipulate the West. Deception was pretty much the Russian stock-in-trade. They deceived Hitler in 1944-45 and wouldn’t see any reason not to deceive NATO.
Aftermath…the USSR is probably going to quake apart. They’ve just been beaten in a war. Poland and East Germany will probably want to gain independence. The Generals in charge may agree to let them go or dig in for a fight. NATO may or may not provide support. I’m guessing not because of the nukes. Post-war, the US will probably thrust a great deal more money into its military. There will probably be a major depression in Germany as a result of the war damage. The French and British got off lighter
Bob