I don't know if nuclear first strike capability is possible. We need to determine if an arms race with Russia could lead to our annihilation; and if so, we need to have both countries agree to a freeze on new nuclear weapons (at least if such a freeze is verifiable.)
There should of course be immediate inspection of any suspected nuclear weapon sites. If Russia doesn't agree to this - and if any diplomatic gesture such as inviting them to join NATO doesn't work - then we need to have tougher sanctions than we do at present.
We should also (especially if such a freeze is non-verifiable) consider removing the threat by the prospect of increased trade.
Alvin Blake
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We've already come pretty darn close to a nuclear showdown, blowing up the world and turning us all into floating dust particles, Mr.
Blake. Twice alone in 1983 when Ronald Reagan was in office. One, if not for the quick thinking of a Russian Lt., Stanislav Petrov, on duty the night Russia received warnings the country was about to be attacked, the world might have been blown to pieces and we humans would be, well............floating dust particles traveling through space and time if not for his quick thinking. Divine intervention, you might say? He wasn't even meant to be on duty that night. He was working in the place of someone who was out sick.
Russian Lt. Stanislav died in 2017 at the age of 77 without the world ever fully knowing he likely saved the world and we humans from possible total annihilation.
Can the world and humans survive without war? Or wars so rare they're near obsolete and not the big business they've become today? Well, the world and human life certainly won't survive with wars constantly cropping up all around the globe, poisoning earth and its natural resources.
"All we are saying is.....Give Peace A Chance."
Brenda Washington