There’s an old expression: Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Its all about credibility. We talk a lot, and our adversaries know that and they act accordingly. And many interpret our rhetoric as a weakness and lacking in resolve.
Pulling the trigger now may actually help to prevent a far worse “miscalculation” by our adversaries in the future.
I agree. The longer we're perceived as a paper tiger, the worse things will be when we finally do respond with appropriate force.