"you are wrong,
they had the ability to hijack an airplane years ago, but they waited and planned, I believe documented five years or more to carry it out at the right time, so they could hijack multiple planes and drash into multiple targets simultaneously.
One small tactical nuke in one major city, big problem; but the US would survive.
Three or four tactical nukes set off one day (one week, etc)at a time would effectively end the US as we know it.
Never underestimate the enemy.
Lurking'"
You are correct. Based on AQ's past attacks, they have consistently chosen 3 or 4 targets with every attack for a 'spectacular'. They detonate them all at once, therefore I doubt they would do one a day or week and give us time to prepare. What we can do now is a couple of things:
1) Have stronger civilian defense emergency plans to provide food and shelter for our population so we can survive as a country while we destroy those responsible. Russia built underground cities during the cold war. Not saying we should do the same but look at our horrific suffering from Katrina by not having the basics of food, water and transportation ready for this huge WHEN and not IF. The CIA has been saying for years a nuclear attack is a WHEN and not an IF. Having the means to survive and extract a heavy revenge is a deterrant in of itself.
2) Secure the damn borders so IF they have a couple of nukes already here it doesn't turn into seven, ten etc.
3)Establish a civilian police force as volunteers to help restore and keep order. Our military, FEMA and local police forces will be overwhelmed.
AQ's typical MO is a double attack: one initial attack, then a second attack on the same target (or *VERY* nearby*) to kill as many first responders as possible.