Eventually we will be forced to use nukes to protect ourselves.
Conventional war is too costly in men, materials and morale.
Some unstable president in the near future will make that decision.
And Americans will ask......
"why did we wait so long?"
Clinton pardoned all those people in his last hours as President, Maybe President Bush will drop a few well deserved bombs.
If a Republican president used nukes, they would start impeachment proceedings the very next day. The cry would be heard around the world.
On the other hand, if a socialist democrat used nukes, he would be "brave" and "strong" and "disciplined" and "caring" and "thoughtful" when he used them.
Nukes won't do the job.
Japan gave up after being nuked - AND after losing their entire fleet, millions of soldiers, sailors and marines, and their entire industrial infrastructure.
The nukes "closed the book", so to speak, but for that to work all that went before was required.
If we are not prepared to conquer Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan, and then to occupy them long enough to permit their reconstruction, we should get the hell out of there, and pay the price for that foolish choice.