Instability in relations between allies of superpowers

Given the widespread conviction that regardless of first strike, both superpowers would be destroyed, it is probable that the superpowers (the USSR and the USA) will not fight over disagreements between themselves, but will be dragged into war by disagreements between their allies.

Some historians maintain that World War I was not brought about by deep hostility between Russia and Germany, but by the instability in relations among the lesser nations to which these powers were allied.