Most realistic scenario for a world post a nuclear war

I'm still not convinced. Wouldn't destroying the canal make every other country in the world hate them forever? (Except Chile, who would be overjoyed)

It seems like one of the riskiest possible diplomatic moves, especially if they're going to try afterward to pretend to play within the international system and find a way to blame the US (false flag, etc) for starting the nuclear war.

Panama was strategically important target. Russians wouldn't be idiots if they wouldn't do that. And I don't think that Soviets much cared about that what else would think.
 
In the alternate history scenario book What If- "The Two Day War"

The U.S. unleashes a barrage of nuclear weapons against the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis after in retaliation for the U.S. bombing Cuba with nuclear weapons using B-47 bombers, the Soviet commander there launches IRBMs that decimate Washington D.C. and wiping out the National Command Authority.

The Soviets are confused about what has happened as Moscow did not authorize the launch and their embassy and all its communications gear in Washington is destroyed.

The U.S. unleashes roughly 800 nuclear weapons against the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact nations (except for Hungary) on the first day of the war. And 550 more nuclear weapons the second day.

Results:

The Soviet Union and Cuba are basically exterminated with more than 90% of their populations wiped out (people start calling this the Second Holocaust.

Warsaw Pact nations lose 30-50% of their populations.

Nations like China, Japan, the Koreas, and even India lose thousands from fallout.

Everyone is pissed at the United States.

in Fact the soviet commander of Cuba missile base was authorize to use his nuclear arsenal in case of US attack on Cuba or bombardment.

Also the Crew of Soviet submarines had top three officer had to unanimous authorize the launch nuclear torpedo during Attack.
during Cuba Crisis the US Navy try to surface a Soviet Submarine B-59, one officer Vasili Arkhipov objected the use of nuclear Torpedo against US Navy
 
in Fact the soviet commander of Cuba missile base was authorize to use his nuclear arsenal in case of US attack on Cuba or bombardment.

Actually from what I've read the Soviet commander in Cuba
WAS AUTHORIZED to use nuclear weapons.

But.

He never knew he was authorized.

The transmission RESCINDING his authority to launch nuclear weapons actually reached Cuba BEFORE the original message extending that authority to him.

Note, in the alternate history story from the book I mentioned, the Soviets in Cuba DID use both tactical nuclear weapons (against U.S. ships off the coast and against Quantanimo Bay naval base) and Strategic nuclear warheads (against Washington D.C).
 
And IIRC there were five Soviet submarines with a nuclear torpedo aboard which the USN forced to surface.

1) One didn't fire their nuclear torpedo because one of the officers required to consent passed out from the heat before he could do so.

2) One didn't fire after they intercepted an open air message from President Kennedy to the U.S. destroyer stalking them. The message was detailed but clearly was not an authorization to attack.

3) IIRC one didn't fire because they were stuck within the blast radius of their nuclear torpedo and one of the officers insisted they were never intended to conduct a suicide missions.

4) IIRC, one didn't fire after receiving a message from Moscow ordering them to hang fire

5) Don't remember what kept the 5th from firing.

The book Red November by a former USN rescue diver who was stationed a number of times aboard US. submarines conducting very dangerous surveillance of the Soviet Union.......whose father played a key role in the Cuban Missile Crisis in detecting the Soviet subs details this
 
Actually from what I've read the Soviet commander in Cuba
WAS AUTHORIZED to use nuclear weapons.

But.

He never knew he was authorized.

The transmission RESCINDING his authority to launch nuclear weapons actually reached Cuba BEFORE the original message extending that authority to him.

Note, in the alternate history story from the book I mentioned, the Soviets in Cuba DID use both tactical nuclear weapons (against U.S. ships off the coast and against Quantanimo Bay naval base) and Strategic nuclear warheads (against Washington D.C).

thanks for note

in German literature and article or interviews with some soviet commanders of Cuba, that fact is never mention !
 
George Washington University has publish the 1956 nuclear Target List of SAC

http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/nukevault/ebb538-Cold-War-Nuclear-Target-List-Declassified-First-Ever/

Preview for a 1959 war

H-Bombs were to be Used Against Priority “Air Power” Targets in the Soviet Union, China, and Eastern Europe.
Major Cities in Soviet Bloc, Including East Berlin, Were High Priorities in “Systematic Destruction” for Atomic Bombings.
Plans to Target People (“Population”) despite Violated International Legal Norms
 
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