Could Have Avoided This Plot: Difference between revisions

** One Politburo member actually pointed out that they could simply ''buy'' fuel, something they could afford slightly better than losing a war they had at best an even chance of winning, but was overruled for fear of the scenario mentioned in ''The Devil's Alternative'', below; The United States would have them over a barrel. [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Of oil.]]

*** The Politburo considered it but decided against on the grounds that they were afraid the Americans would ask for concessions that would ultimately destabilize the Soviet Union's political situation. So as they saw it, the two choices were fight the war (which carries a grave risk to the country but lets them keep their positions and power if they win) or make a deal with the Americans (which saves the country but carries a much higher risk of the Politburo falling). So the Politburo chose to bet all of the Soviet Union double-or-nothing rather than lose their jobs. Which is self-centered as hell but at least gives them a rational reason from ''their'' perspective.

** This type of situation was handled far better in the novel ''The Devil's Alternative'', where the Soviet Union is permitted to purchase desperately needed wheat by agreeing to arms reductions, thus averting a similar invasion of West Germany.

* In the first [[Dragaera|Vlad Taltos]] book, Vlad makes a complaint of this nature to Sethra Lavode and Morrolan after learning his embezzling employee was their plot to meet with him. Subverted in the next two sentences when he acknowledges that he probably wouldn't have come if they just asked.