As a History major and survivor of those "days of yore." The main difference I can see was that the Russian Bear was as afraid of incineration as was the American Eagle. So, MAD was a viable ploy, the radical Muslim on the other hand has no fear of death and actually embraces it. When someone lives in the stone age you really can't bomb them any where. They do not have nor want western values, every non believer is a target, man, woman or child whoes death is rewarded. Kill an enemy and its dinner in paradise with the "big guy" an forty virgins. I know I'm gonna get flamed for this but ya gotta admit that the WOGs are a very cunning adversary. Look at history, how many empires have they toppled?