[hflynn]

Your scenario is more applicable to the days of the Cold War, when you knew exactly where missile launches came from. Unfortunately, with our current adversary, it isn't that black and white. Who do we strike out against? Do we take out countries where the terrorists may have originated from, even though the Government an erst-while ally (e.g., Pakistan and Saudi Arabia)?

The response will be initiated before the incoming missile(s) hit the ground. The targets have already been selected and nothing will be able to save the guilty or innocent but 1 thing for sure the guilty will be on the target list.

[ExSoldier]

The response will be initiated before the incoming missile(s) hit the ground.

That's classic Cold War thinking. It's much more likely that a freighter under a neutral flag will sail into New York harbor and dock. The crew will pass thru customs and depart for the airport and in a few hours the nuke will go off. IOW think Sum of All Fears NOT Doctor Strangelove.