> The reason nukes have been good is because it makes it clear that war is unwinnable which effectively ended direct conflict between world powers. Yet of course proxy wars are alive and well with Ukraine being the king of them all.

Not looking forward to being your proxywar or small regional conflict. It’s amazingly frustrating to be dragged into this without any provocation or possibility to actually affect the situation. Just unfortunate geography I guess.

I don’t think nukes stopped the direct conflict between world powers. They made it possible for the first time. There is no reach to US without them.

War in Europe or parts of Asia is easy the old fashioned way and seems to happen on a regular basis.