Could the Soviet Union have stood a chance against the US in a conventional war?

[Fullmetal89]

The Afgan wars showed that Russia did not have the resources to sustain a long lasting conflict with a powerful nation let alone the only Superpower the US. Even with their Nukes they wouldn't have stood a chance against the U.S. in a conventional war.

[Rukentuts]

Seems to have worked in Japan as well....

And South Korea.

[Kellhound]

Depends on the type of war.

If it was defensive they would have easily won. They had sheer numbers, territory, and the tradition of being avid defenders of their home land.

If it was offensive they would have been in trouble. Mostly because the Soviet logistic chain was really bad. In fact it is what hurts Russia even today. They have trouble projecting there power much of a distance from there own boarder. The United States has bases all over the world and the largest, most advanced, and most experienced Navy in the world. This makes it much easier for the United States to intercept any attacks and supply troops and material much further from the home land.

For the attacker it would depend on the amount of surprise and the military goals.

[Tierbook]

What about a conventional war with modern up-to-date equipment? What would it take to beat the US.

[Hellfury]

Minnesota is colder than western Russia.

In fact Minneapolis' winter is on par with Moscow's.

that only makes any sence if all your army is in Minneapolis but they arent. Logic....

[Rukentuts]

that only makes any sence if all your army is in Minneapolis but they arent. Logic....

Because our army is completely unprepared for winters that our nation has?

[Fullmetal89]

Seems to have worked in Japan as well....

That was mostly thanks to General Marshall's leadership and Japan's compatibility with Western Democracy. That's something the we (the U.S.) don't seem to understand when it comes to the Middle East. They have fundamentally different values that contradict with Western values. Therefore it's unrealistic to expect a western democracy in the middle east, at least not the way we are use to. They don't understand or want to assimilate to western values.

[Low Hanging Fruit]

that only makes any sence if all your army is in Minneapolis but they arent. Logic....

Logic in this argument is laughable. First of all world wars are far from logical. Second let us be.. logical.. this thread is more about "I hate USA" or "I hate USSR" and just found a cleaver middle ground for people to shot at the side they choose to shoot at.

[Reeve]

But "conquer" part simply cannot happen with Russian size. All you can do with airpower is kill, not conquer. With Russian size and guerilla traditions you would be mired there for decades to come.

It will not be enough to get to capital and declare "win" as French invasion shown - you would have to fight for every inch of territory while enduring constant attacks on your supply lines.

A military victory doesn't have to be conquest. It could simply be destroying the opponent's ability to make war. Maybe destruction of soviet military equipment, destruction of arms production factories, destruction of oilfield infrastructure, etc.

[Tierbook]

that only makes any sence if all your army is in Minneapolis but they arent. Logic....

No but we do have some large bases in Alaska, probably enough to take on Russia.....

[Deleted]

To me the answer is, how threads that are basically "who has or had the bigger dick" are outright stupid.

Why? Would be actually nice to compare them objectively but people can't handle that.

I feel like being in a fucking sandbox with fucking kids screaming MY MOTHER IS BETTER THAN YOURS, and honestly, fuck that.

[Wildtree]

We imposed Democracy on Germany too, look how that turned out.

no you did not! What gives you that idea? LMAO
You've helped others to defeat a tyrant... Fine.. No one has ever not given you due for that.
You also helped to rebuild the country which you first laid into rubble... Also a cool move.
You stuck it out with the other allies to keep the annexed zones of the Western Allies under Western control. Also a cool move...
After that... The rest was up to Germany, and the Germans. There was democracy before the Nazis.. in fact, democracy gave the Nazis way to power. They were elected in democratic elections.
Many Germans argue, in hindsight of the war, how we should have stuck with monarchy, with the Emperor instead. Germany was never subject to a tyrant in a thousand years, until a republic was created and democracy was established.

[Hellfury]

Because our army is completely unprepared for winters that our nation has?

A small proportion of your country has harsh winters, vs a country with harsh winter in most of his territory. Logic

[Reeve]

EMPs exist - nice heater.

EMPs don't destroy heaters in cars. Even if they did, you can shield electronics from EMPs.

[Wildtree]

Why? Would be actually nice to compare them objectively but people can't handle that.

I feel like being in a fucking sandbox with fucking kids screaming MY MOTHER IS BETTER THAN YOURS, and honestly, fuck that.

Yup.... It's just not possible to analyze it reasonable. Starts already with failing to stick to the conditions of the applicable times.

[Deleted]

What about a conventional war with modern up-to-date equipment? What would it take to beat the US.

The best way to beat the USA is to target the hearts and minds of the American people, The US Military is top notch but Ma and Pa civilian do not usually have the stomach for real war.

[Fullmetal89]

A small proportion of your country has harsh winters, vs a country with harsh winter in most of his territory. Logic

You do realize that the U.S. trains its soldiers in the environment they will be expecting when they go overseas.

[Tierbook]

A small proportion of your country has harsh winters, vs a country with harsh winter in most of his territory. Logic

Alaska, Montana, North Dakota and maybe some other areas add up to about 1/3 the US's land mass.

[Reeve]

The best way to beat the USA is to target the hearts and minds of the American people, The US Military is top notch but Ma and Pa civilian do not usually have the stomach for real war.

Bear in mind that the absolutely easiest way to galvanize the American civilian public into a war footing is to attack us on our home soil.

[Independent voter]

no you did not! What gives you that idea? LMAO
You've helped others to defeat a tyrant... Fine.. No one has ever not given you due for that.
You also helped to rebuild the country which you first laid into rubble... Also a cool move.
You stuck it out with the other allies to keep the annexed zones of the Western Allies under Western control. Also a cool move...
After that... The rest was up to Germany, and the Germans. There was democracy before the Nazis.. in fact, democracy gave the Nazis way to power. They were elected in democratic elections.
Many Germans argue, in hindsight of the war, how we should have stuck with monarchy, with the Emperor instead. Germany was never subject to a tyrant in a thousand years, until a republic was created and democracy was established.

We said, look we'll give you this pile of money if you choose democracy. How about it?

If you were already going to choose democracy, that's fine.