Oh and about the desperation.

USA since president Bush abandoned the agreement they had with Russians of reducing nukes and since then all they tried to do was to implement the first strike capability. Now they try as it seems to remove the earlie warning defence of Russia. So desperate yes, but surely they want to have that option. Personally i am really sure that they prefer a nuclear conflict than losing their power, IF they think they have a big chance with a successful first nuclear strike. As you said... They are psychos and they have those old plans and they have the button.