[Phantom Lord]

The problem is that nuclear weapons require ongoing maintenance. That maintenance requires materials and skills that are extremely scarce.

Waiting around just makes it less and less likely that the bombs will work on the great strategically planned day.

Here's a thought. Maybe they do have several suitcase nukes right now, within America. But because of the scarcity of those with skills to do the maintanence the strategically planned day is well down the road until the maintanence can be done.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

"Here's a thought. Maybe they do have several suitcase nukes right now, within America. But because of the scarcity of those with skills to do the maintanence the strategically planned day is well down the road until the maintanence can be done."

Wait too long, and the maintenance becomes a non-issue--you'd be better off replacing the nuke itself.