As for the major players and M.A.D. I think that will continue to work just as long as calmer heads do not allow some 3rd party conflict to escalate to the point that unreasonable and crazy irrational decisions are made and things happen so fast calmer heads don't have time to intervene and stop something before a point of no return is passed. - GB
No doubt all major powers / players have a war plan all mapped out based on what they think they can predict. Problem is, the allies of Russia and China are so unpredictable. That's a problem for them and for us. Their choice is simple - back their ally or abandon them. The US position must be whatever action Russia and China take, it is a diversion. Or maybe not.
Like they say folks, no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy. It all boils down to luck = where preparation meets opportunity.