Russia's Samson option

What is the original meaning of "the Samson option"? See

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson_Option

That was specific to Israel.

But I think it clearly applies to other nuclear-armed states as well,

in particular, Russia.

Those who are considering allowing Ukraine to cause more and more damage to Russia 

should think very carefully about this question:

"At what point will so much damage have been done to Russia, with the certainty of yet more damage being done in the future,

that Russia will execute its own Samson option?

I have read that the intelligence agencies are telling their clients that, for one reason or another, Russia would never execute the Samson option.

And many figures in the media ignore or downplay the likelihood of this happening.

But these are the same entities who either lied or erred, take your pick, that Saddam Hussein posed a threat to America.

Why did they do that?

Because some in America wanted Saddam's threat to Israel eliminated.

Now, today, I think we are seeing the same dynamic.

The intelligence agencies are telling their clients what they want to hear.

It is certainly significant that many of the same people and organizations (e.g. the Washington Post) that called for war with Iraq are now demanding support for Ukraine.

Which, if carried too far, is highly likely to have far greater negative consequences for America.

How far is too far?

I suggest prudence on that.

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Here are some samples of what Russians are saying:

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/25/europe/putin-nuclear-warns-west-missile-strikes-ukraine-intl-latam/index.html

"MOSCOW

Reuters

 — 

President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday that Russia could use nuclear weapons if it was struck with conventional missiles, 

and that Moscow would consider any assault on it supported by a nuclear power to be a joint attack.

The decision to change Russia’s official nuclear doctrine is the Kremlin’s answer to deliberations in the United States and Britain about whether or not to give Ukraine permission to fire conventional Western missiles into Russia."