“covertly placed nuclear missiles in range to attempt a decapitating first strike” Ah the nice retcon of history. Cuba missiles were only placed as only covert first strike weapons, while being invaded, having wide spread state sponsored, and further direct evidence that the US would esclate soon. Not for a retaliatory strike against extreme American agression- but for covert first strike.

I think youre better off referring to actual “covertly placed nuclear missiles in range to attempt a decapitating first strike” in deployed in Turkey.