In a moderate-range, limited nuclear exchange between two nations, how many peopld would die?
Say a conflict between China and the US in 2000s, or limited USSR-China one.
Thanks in advance!
In a moderate-range, limited nuclear exchange between two nations, how many peopld would die?
Say a conflict between China and the US in 2000s, or limited USSR-China one.
Thanks in advance!
The limited nuclear exchange is a Cold War myth, especially in regards to any conflict between the USSR and the PRC.
Ian posted a link somewhere that described how, due to fallout and proximity to population centers, a nuclear attack aimed at destroying China's nuclear deterrent alone would kill six million people.
I remember reading some "window of vulnerability" scenarios from the 1970s (there was apparently fear the Soviets could pull a successful nuclear first-strike on the American nuclear arsenal) that depicted a death toll of around ten million. And that'd be just from hitting ICBM fields, bomber bases, etc.
There's some kind of app online in which one can pick a location, pick the megatonnage, and then estimate the results. Devise a scenario and apply accordingly.
Limited as in only those two powers are in war, and no one else.
Major cities, capital, and strategic sites are hit.
Limited as in only those two powers are in war, and no one else.
Major cities, capital, and strategic sites are hit.
A limited Sino-American war would have Taiwan as the flashpoint. If nuclear weapons are used, I could imagine American carrier battle groups and nearby military bases being the target. The goal would be destroy American power in the western Pacific long enough to take Taiwan and then present a fait accompli.
The problem is, hitting military bases includes Japan and Okinawa. Lots of Japanese with radiation sickness and eyes melting out of their heads on the 24-7 news cycle is going to make ending the war without escalation-retribution kind of problematic.
(And the last time an Asian power tried that strategy, it ended with them getting ground underfoot and nuked.)
Dale Brown wrote a scenario featuring a limited Sino-American nuclear conflict that depicts the Chinese as winning--either he overestimated Chinese nuclear capabilities or the U.S. wasn't willing to escalate beyond the tactical level.
Maybe after being on the receiving end of nuclear weapons for the second time, the Japanese decide to reach an understanding with China and refuse to cooperate with the U.S. plans for reprisal? The U.S. could fire ICBMs at China, but without bases in Japan, fighting the war could get really difficult.
Well if the Vatican and Monaco attacked each other, the death toll would be less than 40,000.
Torqumada
I would think a lot more than that would die in Rome.
You're only attacking the capitol cities. Micro nukes.
Torqumada
In a moderate-range, limited nuclear exchange between two nations, how many peopld would die?
Say a conflict between China and the US in 2000s, or limited USSR-China one.
Thanks in advance!