@alyx The Chinese are a prideful, arrogant and belligerent country. Kind of reminds me of another country that comes to mind. πΊπΈ
@alyx The United States has risked the fate of the entire human species for the sake of it's pride. No other country holds that distinction. Not that China wouldn't likely do the same but I think they are more similar than different at least in this regard.
@alyx The Americans already had a metaphorical gun pointed to the head of the USSR. This was in the form of missiles in Turkey pointed at Moscow and other key Soviet locations. The Soviet response to this was to return the gesture by installing missiles in Cuba. This was unacceptable to the US administration who would not tolerate even retaliation from the Soviets.
Can't say I know that episode too well, but I don't really see it as a pride thing. There was a legitimate threat to US if USSR got those missiles so close imo.
One thing that was definitely driven by pride, was the space race, but that was hardly a threat to mankind. Maybe their retaliation to 9/11 was in part a pride thing. (after all, you're ego must be a bit hit, when not only your biggest city but also the Pentagon gets hit by surprise).