On the other hand, Taylor went on, the Air Force did strongly support a “first-strike capability,” which could limit damage to the United States, to levels that were “acceptable in light of the circumstances and alternatives.” He did not define “acceptable,” but the implication was clear: the resulting death toll would be very high—in the hundreds of thousands or millions—and, to the Chiefs, that would be acceptable, given the “circumstances” (nuclear war) and the “alternatives” (surrender).
