Hypothetical Scenario- Russian nuke used against US

[Seggybop]

We all know that if the US is attacked by terrorists using an atomic bomb and we trace the uranium/plutonium back to a country like NK or Iran, that country is glass.

But if they attacked us with a bomb manufactured by Russia (lost or whatever) what are we supposed to do? We can't very well start a war with them, nor would doing so be of any real benefit.

[Col. Crackpot]

We all know that if the US is attacked by terrorists using an atomic bomb and we trace the uranium/plutonium back to a country like NK or Iran, that country is glass.

But if they attacked us with a bomb manufactured by Russia (lost or whatever) what are we supposed to do? We can't very well start a war with them, nor would doing so be of any real benefit.

If the Russian's had a hand in it i'd imagine there would be some sort of naval retaliation at the very least.

[Ma Deuce]

But if they attacked us with a bomb manufactured by Russia (lost or whatever) what are we supposed to do? We can't very well start a war with them, nor would doing so be of any real benefit.

Ignoring the fact that the stories of improperly guarded Russian nuclear stockpiles are largely myths, and the fact that due to codes and safeguards, a modern nuclear warhead is useless to terrorists (unless they're planning to completely rewire it or use the plutonium in the warhead to make their own bomb, both of which are fairly high-tech jobs), if a warhead made from Russian plutonium was used in a terrorist strike in the US, it would be quite obvious from the start that the Russians didn't intentionally give the terrorists the warhead/plutonium, unlike Iran or North Korea, who could conceivably do such a thing if they felt threatened enough.

Therefore, if such a thing happened, the US would demand that Russia properly account for and guard all it's nuclear materials, perhaps shelling out money to help them do so.

[CaptainChewbacca]

I think in such a situation America could force Russia to significantly reduce its nuclear stockpiles.

[JME2]

Then we'd be playing The Sum of All Fears -- the Real Game.

[Stuart Mackey]

I think in such a situation America could force Russia to significantly reduce its nuclear stockpiles.

How, pray tell? I would say that the US would ask for and get the Russians to account for all their nukes and ensure proper safeguard's on them. Given the status of Nukes, no Russian HofS is about to reduce their most potent weapon under threat of force, let alone accept the perceived loss of soverignty that would imply.

[Chris OFarrell]

Despite the fact that its not Russia acting against the USA, the Russians are going to have to make some very quick moves to head of the US anger. Probably offering fifty free Spetnaz missions against targets of the US's choosing with complete deniability