Originally Posted by
tartare
I don't understand?
You mean fallout potentially blowing across NATO member states constitutes an attack on them?
Ukraine isn't a NATO member.
I wouldn't anticipate an overwhelming conventional weapon response from the whole of NATO in response to Russia using a small weapon in Ukraine.
But I could imagine a whole series of very serious non-kinetic reprisals by many member states.
And the US and close allies taking the lead on grey warfare (cables, pipelines, Internet access etc).
And escalating the supply of weaponry even further to Ukraine in order for them to respond kinetically...
Have no doubt that there are already drafted "if... then..." options for each scenario as FDR outlines.
If Russia uses a nuke of any size anywhere and there is not an overwhelming kinetic response from NATO then the nuclear taboo has been broken and you have enabled all the despots who have or are working towards nuclear weapons to use them. This would be an existential moment for the West.
If there is no action why would China not use tactical nukes on China or Pakistan on India?. It is the ultimate terror weapon