Aiming at territory that was controlled by the USSR at the time doesn't seem like a dumb idea... Wasn't there serious concern that the USSR would try to expand further, as well?
No it's not. It'd be nuking an invading army on the land they stood. Kind of like how Ukraine bombs their own land when Russians are on it.
It was meant as a deterrent, not an attack. It didn't need to reach all the way to enemy territory from where it sat to serve its purpose. It's like complaining about defending yourself from a home invader because you might get blood on the carpet...