this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2025
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Would it though? If you cut the head off the snake, will (can?) the body keep following its orders?
It'd definitely be chaos and there's a good chance there would be some war. But I'm not so sure how much of that would be retaliation against the US vs an in-fighting power grab within Russia.
I think you need to look at it more in depth. Would there be a power struggle? Yes, most assuredly, but not instantaneously. But if it were the other way around, and Russia lopped off Trump's head, do you really think Maga wouldn't retaliate and would instead fight over the presidency first? It'd be simultaneous, as those with their fingers on the bombs would use them to show they deserve the role of leader through force.
In your scenario Vance would be the successor and MAGA would use the war to further their agenda. Kinda straightforward.
I'm unfamiliar with Russia's succession rules but Putin has been consolidating power and murdering anyone with potential to be his successor for decades. I could see how that would destabilize Russia more than the US.
Plus the Russian war machine ia not doing great in Ukraine. Doubt they could threaten western Europe or the US in any meaningful capacity. Nukes are always an option
War isn't fought toe-to-toe anymore. It's done remotely. Yes the Russian military is garbage now. But if even 3% of their nukes successfully land, the casualties would be in the tens of millions, if not hundreds.
Russia may be inept, but the threat of their nukes is not to be underestimated. I severely doubt the Russians that follow Putin would say thank you and leave it at that. Power vacuums create worse conditions than the conditions under the tyrants. It would get much worse before it ever got better.