The year is 1984. Decepticons VS USA, Autobots VS the Soviet Union. No nukes (unless Megatron's gun counts). These are the 80s cartoon and comics Transformers.
__________________ "Crush your enemies. See them driven before you. Hear the lamentations of the women." - the prophet Mohammed, single-handed inventor of terrorism, pedophilia and moon-god worship
The only reason Prime died is because Hot Rod got in the way. Optimus was clearly winning before that. Then, even after being shot several times by a weapon that destroyed other bots in one shot, and stabbed with a spike or rock or metal, whatever that was. He still hit Megatron hard enough so that he had to be carried off of the battlefield.
It wasn't the whole military, just a few dozen tanks. Initially Shockwave thought the Decepticons couldn't take them, then Megatron fired a barrage into the air from his cannon and the tanks retreated, as the officers were pretty sure their force couldn't stack up against that kind of firepower. But the Decepticons will be facing the whole American military here.
__________________ "Crush your enemies. See them driven before you. Hear the lamentations of the women." - the prophet Mohammed, single-handed inventor of terrorism, pedophilia and moon-god worship