[JohnPrine]

My understanding is that von Neumann recognized that science would produce these types of weapons eventually, and so pushed hard to reach an equilibrium state of non-use of nuclear weapons under Mutually Assured Destruction (the dude did found modern game theory). So I think it's a bit disingenuous to say that he tried to start nuclear war.

[phscguy]

He advocated for a first strike attack (bombing Moscow). Though this was before the Soviets had a strong nuclear arsenal and so likely would not have started a war. So yeah you are right, saying he was pushing for a war is stretching it. He did push for nuking a major city though.