[kerneloftruth]

On the other hand, don't underestimate what little regard Russia and China both have for human life. Russia lost 27 million in WWII[1], many times the numbers lost by the West, combined. China's record on human rights also speaks for itself. Xi and Putin both see themselves as messianic, and both have grand visions for their countries gaining power. They want to act, and it has begun. They're thinking in terms of the next century, and great losses of people will just be part of a great reset (as a broken egg is to an omelette). It's what follows in centuries to come that matters to them.

I wouldn't put it past them, and that thinking is of course not mutually exclusive from those who are seeking Armageddon as you note. That both kinds of minds are in charge of each side is downright terrifying, indeed.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties_of_the...