functionally, specifically . . . are you talking about nuking all the capitals and larger cities of all the Arab countries or what???Yes.
And would even that be remotely realistic given all the givens. Would even Bush have the stomach for it?
After a nuclear attack that killed millions of Americans, he'd have two choices:
(1) Massively overreact.
(2) Don't do (1), and be impeached, removed from office...and then be tried in the court of the Honorable Judge Lynch Mob.
Gosh, which one you think HE'D go for?
Calculate in the world . . . etc.
The rest of the world wouldn't say "boo" in that scenario. (Helpful Hint #1,331: When your next-door neighbor's house has just been firebombed, and he's expended a few hundred rounds into the likely culprits, don't say anything harsh or judgemental. He might still be peevish, and he might also have reloaded when you weren't looking. :o)
Certainly I recognize the forces and motivations you speak of.
I guess I'm just skeptical that the forces would operate as simply, straightforwardly as you outline.
Maybe I think you underestimate the numbers and influence of the 5th column commies and liberal idiots running around loose.
Also, I think we have such a built-in 'be nice' mentality even in the face of repeated kicks to the groin.
Anyway--for the record--I'd be more relieved, I think, if we did as you outlined than if we did not.
I would hope, however, that we had plenty of arms left to deal with Russia and China.
. . . . and all the mayhem that idiot traitors in country would be trying to mete out to our military and infrastructure in the process.
Chaos could still easily reign, IMHO.