>>177287
Russia has thought this for ages, that's why they do what they like with proxy troops instead of focus on missile programs. US also knows this, which is why they only invade countries that can't fight back against their mainland and aren't that much of a threat due to poor economy/tech - Iraq and Afghanistan, but never Pakistan, which was the real source of Islamist threats, along with the Saudis, but could fight back and has nukes. China under Mao boasted that it could survive even nuclear war, what with such a large population and a strong resolve. They had massive networks of tunnels and bomb shelters for every building. Probably still do. They're just playing nice here. If anybody could survive nuclear war, China could.