is nuclear war a better possibility more now then perhaps 20 years ago as well?

ALL OUT Nuclear war is probably less likely nowadays. Not impossible of course. As long as they exist it can still happen.

 I'm more concerned with limited nuclear strikes, such as unaccounted for old nukes, unaccounted for new nukes, and terrorist use of nukes and dirty bombs. I think those are more likely. And its very scary.

The horrible thing is that if it happens its going to be in a large population center like a city. Terrifying.