During World War II, the United States focused its attention on different theaters of conflict. It was a key player in the European war, but it also participated in the war in Asia, focusing on Japan, Germany, and Russia.
After the war, the Soviet Union rapidly increased its nuclear arsenal. In the 1980s, the Soviet Union had the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. Its arsenal contained about 6490 warheads. It also had the largest bomb in the world, the Tsar Bomba, which had a blast yield of 50 megatons of TNT.
Since the Soviet Union began to develop nuclear weapons, the U.S. and Russia have become engaged in a proxy war in Europe and the Middle East. The United States claims that it will defend its national interests against Russia’s challenges. However, there are serious differences between the two.
The United States is focused on distance missions, while Russia is more concerned with ground operations. It has less long-range missiles and meager supplies of long-range munitions.
Russia’s military has become more powerful, with more tanks and aircraft. It is also threatening other parts of Europe.
The United States could be drawn into a conflict between Russia and China. Its military action needs to take into account allies in each theater. Its European allies could be called upon to provide ground forces while the U.S. would maintain its nuclear deterrence.
Russia and China’s goals are similar: they are both interested in redrawing the political map in the Middle East and Asia. They have formed a loose alliance, which may lead them to attack Taiwan. They also share the goal of restraining Iran, a potential geopolitical threat.