It seems to me that we have two forms of protection against that kind of nuclear insanity. The first is that even with terminal illness, dictators have friends and family that they might prefer not to die in nuclear hellfire.
The second defense is that no one truly rules alone, and especially no one can launch nuclear weapons on their own. Such orders have to go down the chain of command and actually be carried out. Those surrounding the leader would be in a position in which their survival depended on successfully mounting a coup. If they remain loyal, they and their families die in nuclear war. If they attempt a putsch, there’s a chance at survival. What’s more, they know everyone else is in the same position, so there’s little chance of betrayal and an abundance of allies.
Realistically, if a leader knows they’re on their way out, they’re likely to do something similar to Nazarbayev In Kazakhstan and pick a successor, before claiming honors and going into retirement.
It seems to me that we have two forms of protection against that kind of nuclear insanity. The first is that even with terminal illness, dictators have friends and family that they might prefer not to die in nuclear hellfire.
The second defense is that no one truly rules alone, and especially no one can launch nuclear weapons on their own. Such orders have to go down the chain of command and actually be carried out. Those surrounding the leader would be in a position in which their survival depended on successfully mounting a coup. If they remain loyal, they and their families die in nuclear war. If they attempt a putsch, there’s a chance at survival. What’s more, they know everyone else is in the same position, so there’s little chance of betrayal and an abundance of allies.
Realistically, if a leader knows they’re on their way out, they’re likely to do something similar to Nazarbayev In Kazakhstan and pick a successor, before claiming honors and going into retirement.