> If ever a country was taken by surprise by a nuclear strike, and was unable to counterattack before they were turned to radioactive dust, then the whole mutally-assured-destruction scenario goes out the window, showing nuclear war to be a usable form of international politics.

However, you *do* know within minutes after launch. For the cold war to work, in addition to insane fire power, you also have to have surveillance on both sides good enough to make you able to launch your counter attack before their initial attack hits you. Sure, both will be wiped out, but at least there are no winners.

Travholt