Based on historical records of the Cold War I think I could argue that nuclear weapons were available to fanatics - fortunately they were kept at bay by sensible political leadership!

"Restraint? Why are you so concerned with saving their lives? The whole idea is to kill the bastards. At the end of the war if there are two Americans and one Russian left alive, we win!"

That isn't from Dr Strangelove but an actual quote from General Power - head of SAC at the time of the Cuban crisis.