20 Mishaps that Might Have Caused Nuclear War - 20 Mishaps That Might Have Started Accidental Nuclear War by Alan F. Philips, M.D. Ever since the two adversaries in the Cold War, the U.S.A. an the U.S.S.R., realized that their nuclear arsenals were sufficient to do disastrous damage to both countries at short notice, the leaders and the military commanders have thought about the possibility of a nuclear war starting without their intention or as a result of a false alarm.