Why attacking a nuclear force can accelerate escalation

The discussion treats attacks on nuclear forces as especially dangerous because a state that believes its deterrent is being removed has an incentive to use surviving weapons. Dispersed ballistic-missile submarines are especially difficult to eliminate compared with fixed land weapons or aircraft at known bases. A counterforce attempt would still require demanding synchronization and enough air defence to stop any surviving bomber response. The point is a caution about escalation and survivability, not a recipe for conducting such an operation.