this post was submitted on 07 Apr 2026
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[–] Ontimp@feddit.org 13 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago) (1 children)

Not immediately with Iran, but even if it would be a singular nuclear strike without any reaction, it would cross maybe the only real red line that still exists in international relation; Russia might then use nukes in Ukraine, or China in Taiwan, even if only for the EMP or to sink a fleet of ships at once. It will cause a dam to break regarding the use of tactical nuclear weapons.

[–] marx@piefed.social 8 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

I’m with you on Russia but I don’t think the PLA would consider nuking Taiwan. They ideologically consider everyone on the island to be Chinese and they also certainly don’t want to blow it to ashes just to have to rebuild it from scratch.

IMO the wind is blowing toward a political reunification where China takes it without a shot. The opposition party is already pushing that and the US is not a stable or reliable enough ally at this point for them credibly rely on if China actually invades.

[–] Ontimp@feddit.org 1 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Not on the island but if the US now starts using tactical nukes in Iran, the nuclear power China would seriously consider its own tactical nuclear use cases - after all what's the value in being a nuclear power if it's a forgone conclusion that you won't use them. Doubly so should the US prove it's willingness to use tactical nukes now, as China would then need to expect that nukes might be used against them too, should it come to a military exchange with the US over Taiwan. It's mutually assured destruction, but instead of destroying cities with ICBMs you sink each other's aircraft carriers with smaller nukes.

Regarding Taiwan itself, I think there would be valid use cases, especially for the massive EMPs given off by nukes detonated in the atmosphere. They can disable an army of drones and most civilian communication systems all at once, which seems like a very solid first strike move if you don't want to destroy the country but cause enough disruption to allow an invasion force to land.

I'm not a military strategist though, so no guarantees on any of this.

[–] someguy3@lemmy.world 2 points 48 minutes ago* (last edited 47 minutes ago)

They consider Taiwan part of China. They would see nuking Taiwan as nuking their own left hand. Very unlikely.