You're misunderstanding conquest vs war. Bombing stone age people for conquest works poorly. If you just want to eliminate a threat (war) it works great. E.g. the Taliban cant export Jihadis if their cities are nuked, fields destroyed, and borders a 20 mile free-fire zone.
As for Japan, sure, the Soviet entry into the war precipitated surrender and the USA was planning an invasion, but that reflects overplanning more than necessity. Sitting back and bombing the home islands was 100% viable. An island nation bombed into the stone age is no longer a threat because they cant leave.
You're misunderstanding conquest vs war. Bombing stone age people for conquest works poorly. If you just want to eliminate a threat (war) it works great. E.g. the Taliban cant export Jihadis if their cities are nuked, fields destroyed, and borders a 20 mile free-fire zone.
As for Japan, sure, the Soviet entry into the war precipitated surrender and the USA was planning an invasion, but that reflects overplanning more than necessity. Sitting back and bombing the home islands was 100% viable. An island nation bombed into the stone age is no longer a threat because they cant leave.
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