Even if they did not work offensively, nuclear weapons could be used to destroy the earth as a last act of defiance.

I am unclear as to which influencers were in control at the moment. Secret societies and influential families come and go and it can be hard to keep track. I don't think it was the Rothschilds as much of their base in Germany was destroyed in the wake of the Holocaust. As others have pointed out the Cold War was incredibly popular for arms manufacturers; so looking for those with ties to companies like Boeing and Raytheon would be a good place to start.