Look up Operation Dropshot. It was a US plan developed around 1947. From then until the late fifties, the non-nuclear (or minimal nuclear) war in Europe was a plausible option. If the mentality of Stalin had continued for another five years, it could have happened.
Mark E
Actually in the early years, until the mid-60's Nato's official tactic was a small tripwire force on the border and massive nuclear response. Simply because they couldn't/wouldn't maintain conventional forces strong enough to be capable of deterring the red Army from attacking. This was partly as well because America had an overwhelming nuclear superiority.
Steve