For several years now, I've thought that someone had gotten hold of several small nuclear devices and had been using them to extort world governments. Think Mafia tactics or the so-called "Samson Option". During all the Covid lockdowns and then Russia's attack on Ukraine, I think the Good Guys located the devices and removed/de-activated them, thereby defanging whatever power that Mob had.

The only card they would have left to play in that scenario is to get either Russia or the US to use the "big nukes" - the ones owned by the military. I have faith that the same people who could locate and disarm the small nukes would also have enough control over the big ones that it would not be an option, no matter how hard the thugs push for it. Putin doesn't appear to be an idiot and while Biden most definitely is an idiot, I'm not entirely sure he's got control of the "football" at this point.

(Fun image to lighten things up: The launch codes are sent out and, instead of missiles launching, speakers pop up and start playing this.)