Since WW2 conflicts have been regional, and really not involving direct confrontation between major players.
Plenty of proxy wars initiated by 'major players'. The weapons used today are somewhat different to weapons used in previous wars - eg drones, long range missiles etc.
Provocation is one way to ensure more mad men willing to use whatever means for self protection. Calls for peace or rstraint are drowned out in a sea of madness. Nuclear won't be a deterrent once somebody, anybody deploys such. Limited nuclear war - a term already used but who will limit such and what exactly does limited mean - two bombs only - the first to show we're jacked off and the second for good measure? WWIII casualties will dwarf previous versions by multiples - one way to achieve de-population.
As for who is allowed or disallowed to have such weapons thank the scientists for their foresight in developing such weapons of mass destruction - would have preferred such weapons not to come into existence or worse, to proliferate. Nuclear age going or perhaps already gone ballistic. Would also prefer a more palatable Heinz's version of 'The Big Red' instead of that button capable to be pushed. AIMO
