One thing I've noticed in this recent Ukraine\Russia conflict, is it seems that as a culture, we have lost the fear or even respect for the possibility of nuclear warfare.
I was a kid in the 80's, and in those days, and there was endless propaganda of the horrors of nuclear warfare. There were movies, mini-series on it all the time. My guess is in 1985, the average kid knew how many times over USA and Soviet Union could blow the world up with their current arsenals. We all knew how many miles a blast would be, and how far the radiation would be. Most boys had post nuclear life plans in the back of his head in those days.
The 1960's was before my time, but it sounds as if the fear then may have been greater. If you talk to some older citizens, they will talk about the Cuban missile crisis as if it was the most horrifying event of their lives. (this was a short stand off between USA and Soviet Union regarding USA blocking Soviet missiles being transported to Cuba.). The people of that time were absolutely TERRIFIED of the idea of engaging in a war with another nuclear power, because they this very easily could lead to the deaths of millions, if not the end of mankind. (prove them wrong?)
At the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Soviet Union had 500 warheads while USA had 7000. Today Russia has 6000 nuclear warheads while USA has about 5500. Yet, we act like the previous fear was just the imagination of previous generations.
We are doing everything in our power to provoke Russia. NATO or allies have most certainly sabotaged Russia's valuable pipeline. If this had happened back in the 1960's, the President would most likely have been impeached, for even giving the impression it was possible we were responsible.
Now it seems nobody fears or even respects the possibility of nuclear war. The Ukraine flag people are all celebrating and keep screaming "but the regions of Ukraine!!" "We have to do something!"
Are we sleepwalking into armageddon?
Easy times make weak men.