there is only escalation. and i fear nuclear weapons will be the least of the evils. i think its likely we will see chemical and biological devilry unleashed but also additionally novel horrors like nanotechnology weapons. all the extant codes, conventions, agreements, and assumptions will go right out the window, because they only exist to serve the interests of the incumbent powers, and the moment they stop serving their interests, they will be discarded. there will be no sympathy given to the inheritors of the carnage when the prospect for the west is inheriting an inferior position. i think a superpower fight is going to be a very serious matter and anyone preparing for it needs to think seriously big.