Another thing i never got is why all nuclear exchange leads to full nuclear war, specially since there's 3 powers instead of 2. Why should Goring failing to beat Burgundy or unified Russia quick lead to the americans and japanese joining the mess? Maybe if Burgundy shoot some of their limited arsenal on America or Japan, but even then there's no reason for America and Japan nuke eachother.
"Look, the nazis and comies are killing each other, why don't we shoot some at Tokyo just because?" American president, 1972.
Maybe it's like when people make timelines with americans and russians nuking eachother and add India and Pakistan also shooting nukes just because?