The world has come close to nuclear war on several occasions, with governments considering drastic measures to assert their power. These plans, often secretive and shocking, reveal the complexity of international relations and the devastating consequences of nuclear conflict.
From proposed attacks on civilian populations to covert operations, these plans demonstrate the extreme measures governments have contemplated. The following list highlights 26 shocking nuclear plans that were almost implemented. Governments have walked a fine line between diplomacy and destruction, with some plans pushing the world to the brink of disaster.
1. Nuclear Assault on the Chinese mainland
The United States considered a nuclear assault on the Chinese mainland during the Korean War, with the goal of destroying Chinese cities and military installations. This plan, code-named "Operation Oracle," aimed to demonstrate American military might and deter Chinese involvement in the conflict.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about Soviet intervention. The potential consequences of such an attack would have been catastrophic, with millions of civilians at risk. The plan's rejection highlights the delicate balance of power during the Cold War era.
The Soviet Union developed a plan to destroy the British Navy using nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, in an effort to gain superiority in the North Atlantic. The plan, known as "Operation Polar," involved launching a surprise attack on British naval bases and ships, with the goal of crippling the British military.
However, the plan was abandoned due to the high risk of escalation and the potential for devastating consequences. The Soviet Union ultimately chose to focus on diplomatic efforts to achieve its goals. This plan highlights the tense relations between the Soviet Union and Western powers during the Cold War.
3. American Proposal to Nuke the Vietnamese Jungle
During the Vietnam War, the United States considered using nuclear weapons to clear the Vietnamese jungle and destroy enemy hideouts. The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved dropping nuclear bombs on suspected enemy positions, with the goal of flushing out enemy forces.
However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure. The proposal highlights the desperation and frustration of American military leaders during the conflict. The plan's rejection demonstrates the growing concerns about the use of nuclear weapons in conventional warfare.
4. British Plan to Nuke Moscow
The British government developed a plan to launch a nuclear attack on Moscow in the event of a Soviet invasion of Western Europe. The plan, code-named "Operation Unthinkable," involved using nuclear bombs to destroy key Soviet military installations and government buildings.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about the devastating consequences of such an attack. The plan highlights the deep-seated fears of Soviet expansionism during the Cold War era. The rejection of the plan demonstrates the growing recognition of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear war.
5. Nuclear Attack on Chinese Airfields
The United States considered launching a nuclear attack on Chinese airfields during the Korean War, in an effort to prevent Chinese planes from attacking American forces.
The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved dropping nuclear bombs on Chinese airfields, with the goal of destroying enemy aircraft and runways.
However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure. The proposal highlights the tense relations between the United States and China during the conflict. The plan's rejection demonstrates the growing concerns about the use of nuclear weapons in conventional warfare.
6. Soviet Plan to Invade Western Europe
The Soviet Union developed a plan to invade Western Europe using conventional and nuclear forces, with the goal of establishing communist governments in key European cities.
The plan, code-named "Operation Danube," involved launching a surprise attack on Western European capitals, using nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles to destroy enemy military installations.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about the high risk of escalation and the potential for devastating consequences. The plan highlights the deep-seated fears of Soviet expansionism during the Cold War era.
7. American Proposal to Use Nuclear Weapons in the Middle East
During the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the United States considered using nuclear weapons to prevent a Soviet-backed Egyptian victory.
The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved launching a nuclear attack on Egyptian military installations, with the goal of destroying enemy forces and preventing a Soviet foothold in the region.
However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure. The proposal highlights the complex web of alliances and rivalries in the Middle East during the Cold War era.
8. Nuclear Assault on North Korean Cities
The United States considered launching a nuclear assault on North Korean cities during the Korean War, with the goal of destroying enemy military installations and government buildings. The plan, code-named "Operation Hudson Harbor," involved using nuclear bombs to destroy key North Korean cities, including Pyongyang and Seoul.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about the devastating consequences of such an attack. The plan highlights the desperate measures considered by American military leaders during the conflict. The rejection of the plan demonstrates the growing recognition of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear war.
The Soviet Union developed a plan to destroy the Norwegian Navy using nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, in an effort to gain superiority in the North Atlantic. The plan, known as "Operation Nord," involved launching a surprise attack on Norwegian naval bases and ships, with the goal of crippling the Norwegian military.
However, the plan was abandoned due to the high risk of escalation and the potential for devastating consequences. The Soviet Union ultimately chose to focus on diplomatic efforts to achieve its goals. This plan highlights the tense relations between the Soviet Union and Western powers during the Cold War.
10. American Proposal to Nuke the Cuban Jungle
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States considered using nuclear weapons to destroy Soviet missile sites in the Cuban jungle. The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved dropping nuclear bombs on suspected Soviet positions, with the goal of preventing a Soviet nuclear attack on the United States.
However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure. The proposal highlights the desperate measures considered by American military leaders during the crisis.
11. British Plan to Nuke the Soviet Union
The British government developed a plan to launch a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union in the event of a Soviet invasion of Western Europe. The plan, code-named "Operation Broiler," involved using nuclear bombs to destroy key Soviet military installations and government buildings.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about the devastating consequences of such an attack. The plan highlights the deep-seated fears of Soviet expansionism during the Cold War era. The rejection of the plan demonstrates the growing recognition of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear war.
The United States considered launching a nuclear attack on Chinese naval bases during the Taiwan Strait Crisis, in an effort to prevent Chinese naval attacks on Taiwan. The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved dropping nuclear bombs on Chinese naval bases, with the goal of destroying enemy ships and runways.
However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure. The proposal highlights the tense relations between the United States and China during the conflict.
13. Soviet Plan to Invade Japan
The Soviet Union developed a plan to invade Japan using conventional and nuclear forces, with the goal of establishing a communist government in Tokyo. The plan, code-named "Operation Stella," involved launching a surprise attack on Japanese cities, using nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles to destroy enemy military installations.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about the high risk of escalation and the potential for devastating consequences. The plan highlights the complex web of alliances and rivalries in East Asia during the Cold War era.
14. American Proposal to Use Nuclear Weapons in the Vietnam War
During the Vietnam War, the United States considered using nuclear weapons to destroy North Vietnamese military installations and supply lines.
The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved launching a nuclear attack on suspected North Vietnamese positions, with the goal of preventing a communist victory.
However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure. The proposal highlights the desperate measures considered by American military leaders during the conflict.
15. Nuclear Assault on Soviet Cities
The United States considered launching a nuclear assault on Soviet cities during the Cold War, with the goal of destroying enemy military installations and government buildings. The plan, code-named "Operation Dropshot," involved using nuclear bombs to destroy key Soviet cities, including Moscow and Leningrad.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about the devastating consequences of such an attack. The plan highlights the deep-seated fears of Soviet expansionism during the Cold War era.
The Soviet Union developed a plan to destroy the Turkish Navy using nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, in an effort to gain superiority in the Black Sea. The plan, known as "Operation Black Sea," involved launching a surprise attack on Turkish naval bases and ships, with the goal of crippling the Turkish military.
However, the plan was abandoned due to the high risk of escalation and the potential for devastating consequences. The Soviet Union ultimately chose to focus on diplomatic efforts to achieve its goals.
17. American Proposal to Nuke the North Korean Jungle
During the Korean War, the United States considered using nuclear weapons to clear the North Korean jungle and destroy enemy hideouts. The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved dropping nuclear bombs on suspected enemy positions, with the goal of flushing out enemy forces.
However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure. The proposal highlights the desperate measures considered by American military leaders during the conflict.
The British government developed a plan to launch a nuclear attack on the Egyptian Navy during the Suez Crisis, in an effort to prevent Egyptian naval attacks on British ships. The plan, code-named "Operation Musketeer," involved using nuclear bombs to destroy Egyptian naval bases and ships.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about the devastating consequences of such an attack. The plan highlights the complex web of alliances and rivalries in the Middle East during the Cold War era.
19. Nuclear Attack on Soviet Airfields
The United States considered launching a nuclear attack on Soviet airfields during the Cold War, in an effort to prevent Soviet air attacks on Western Europe.
The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved dropping nuclear bombs on Soviet airfields, with the goal of destroying enemy aircraft and runways.
However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure. The proposal highlights the tense relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
20. Soviet Plan to Invade Western Europe
The Soviet Union developed a plan to invade Western Europe using conventional and nuclear forces, with the goal of establishing communist governments in key European cities.
The plan, code-named "Operation Danube," involved launching a surprise attack on Western European capitals, using nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles to destroy enemy military installations.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about the high risk of escalation and the potential for devastating consequences.
21. American Proposal to Use Nuclear Weapons in the Middle East
During the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the United States considered using nuclear weapons to prevent a Soviet-backed Egyptian victory.
The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved launching a nuclear attack on Egyptian military installations, with the goal of destroying enemy forces and preventing a Soviet foothold in the region.
However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure.
22. Nuclear Assault on Chinese Cities
The United States considered launching a nuclear assault on Chinese cities during the Cold War, with the goal of destroying enemy military installations and government buildings. The plan, code-named "Operation Oracle," involved using nuclear bombs to destroy key Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about the devastating consequences of such an attack. The plan highlights the deep-seated fears of Chinese expansionism during the Cold War era.
The Soviet Union developed a plan to destroy the Greek Navy using nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, in an effort to gain superiority in the Aegean Sea.
The plan, known as "Operation Aegean," involved launching a surprise attack on Greek naval bases and ships, with the goal of crippling the Greek military. However, the plan was abandoned due to the high risk of escalation and the potential for devastating consequences.
24. American Proposal to Nuke the Vietnamese DMZ
During the Vietnam War, the United States considered using nuclear weapons to destroy North Vietnamese military installations and supply lines along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved launching a nuclear attack on suspected North Vietnamese positions, with the goal of preventing a communist victory. However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure.
The United States considered launching a nuclear attack on Soviet naval bases during the Cold War, in an effort to prevent Soviet naval attacks on Western Europe.
The plan, which was eventually rejected, would have involved dropping nuclear bombs on Soviet naval bases, with the goal of destroying enemy ships and runways. However, the plan was deemed too risky, as it would have put American troops and civilians at risk of radiation exposure.
26. Soviet Plan to Invade Norway
The Soviet Union developed a plan to invade Norway using conventional and nuclear forces, with the goal of establishing a communist government in Oslo.
The plan, code-named "Operation Nord," involved launching a surprise attack on Norwegian cities, using nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles to destroy enemy military installations.
However, the plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns about the high risk of escalation and the potential for devastating consequences.
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Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.