Why did captain price launch a nuke in modern warfare 2?

Answer 1

Captain Price launched the nuke to create an EMP to help the army rangers trapped in dc to evade the Russian soldiers and help end the war on US Soil.

^ the above is wrong, yet that is what happens in the games as a result.

The real intention of Captain Price was to make use of the nuke seem like America was NOW the victim of extremism - via the Russians, specifically Makarov. This was because of the incident involving "No Russia", where the CIA agent Joseph Allen had been left behind by Makarov after the massacre at the Russian Airport killing hundreds of Russians. Russia mistakenly took this as a declaration of War. Russia in retaliation murdered many Americans within the Russian borderlands and deployed their soldiers to hit American front, resulting in what happened above.

Prices intentions are seen through his use of quotations

Shepherd: We thought we'd recover the ACS before the Russians could crack it. We were wrong. Then Makarov turned the U.S. into his scapegoat. Next thing you know there's flames everywhere. What's this image you're sending me?

A Russian nuclear submarine is analyzed, showing its internal mechanical layout and 16 megaton nuclear payload.

Captain Price: You wanna put out an oil fire, Sir, you set off a bigger explosion right next to it. Sucks away the oxygen. Snuffs the flame.

Shepherd: Price, you been locked away too long. Better get your mind right, son.

Captain Price: Shepherd, are you willing to do what is necessary to win?

Shepherd: Always.

Captain Price: We got ourselves a pretty big fire. Gonna need a huge bang.

Shepherd: You've been in the gulag too long, Price. Focus on taking out Makarov.

Captain Price: No time, sir. We need to end this war today.

Shepherd: I'm not asking you, Price. This is an order! You're to...

This is further proven when Soap continuely warns Price that the launch pads of the Submarine are opening...

The sub's silo doors begin to open.

Ghost: Price, are you there? The silo doors are opening on the sub, I repeat, the silo doors are opening on the sub!

There's no response.

Ghost: Price, come in! They're opening the silo doors on the sub! Hurry!

Still no response. Ghost begins shouting into the comm.

Ghost: Price, do you copy?! The silo doors are open! I repeat, the silo doors are open!

Price: Good.

The ground shakes as a nuclear missile is launched from the sub.

Ghost: Wait - wait, Price, no! We have a nuclear missile launch. Missile in the air! Missile in the air! Code Black, Code Black!

Notice he says Good? Shows his satisfied...

Therefore in accordance, in conclusion (my personal) I believe it is fit to say Price had the intentions of detonationing that Nuke to "bring Makarov into light"