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The enemy has only to plant several devices in areas of the nation in order to reduce out strike back ability. The only force that the terrorists are not able to compromise is our nuclear missile submarine fleet when it is at sea.

There are about 500 Minuteman silos. Add in the B-52, B-1 and B-2 bases, not to mention all the places where the "special" weapons for the tactical fighters are stored (F-15E,F-16, F/A-18), making for a lot of places that have to be taken out to seriously compromise our ability to nuke a country like Iran, and it's pretty much impossible.

However, IMHO, the Angry Ayatollahs and Insane Imams don't really care if we retaliate. A Martyr for Allah, is a martyr rather they kill themselves, or we do for them. Wholesale paradise, so to speak. If it brings on the 12th Imam, well it'll be worth the "sacrifice", if a bit hard on the virgin supply.

"There are about 500 Minuteman silos. Add in the B-52, B-1 and B-2 bases, not to mention all the places where the "special" weapons for the tactical fighters are stored (F-15E,F-16, F/A-18), making for a lot of places that have to be taken out to seriously compromise our ability to nuke a country like Iran, and it's pretty much impossible."

I acknowledge that these systems are in place and agree that they currently pose a major threat to any who would attack the US. These systems are perfect for an enemy that fights as we do, in a traditional, symmetrical fashion.

This enemy fights in an asymmetrical fashion but has the option to change at any moment.

The problem with these systems is that the are not fully autonomous and rely on a multitude of other, perhaps more vulnerable support systems. Imagine a disaster that would strike the communications systems and shut down all the routers and interlinked networks that our land based weapons require. There is not a single wing of fighters or bombers that are on 24/7 alert, flying missions around the world, with "Special Weapons" hanging from their hard points or inside their bomb bays. The weapons are there, positioned and ready in well protected bunkers, but if the national command authority is unreachable due to system failure, those weapons will not be used. It's part of the safety system to prevent the "mad-man" scenario.

The only, untraceable, completely stealth weapons delivery system that we posses are the missile boats on patrol. They are self sustaining deterrent system that are limited only by the amount of food they carry aboard and the endurance of their crew. The boat commanders and crew are scrutinized like no other individuals that I am aware of, for both their background in sensitive matters and psych profiles. That doesn't mean you won't get traitors like the Walkers, but those people are thankfully an aberration. The command structure, meaning the officers and boat skippers, are some of the best, most stable, self sacrificing heroes you will probably never hear about. To say that almost hurts my Marine sensibilities!

The Angry Ayatollahs and Insane Imams really DO care if we retaliate. That is why the would never offer themselves or their children up as "homicide bombers". They are as bad and self serving as our own leftist elitist. They will happily sacrifice multiple millions of their muslim brothers, sisters, mothers, babies of the masses in order to exert power, both religious and political.

Of course, this is all personal perspective and opinion. Thanks for the comment. I really enjoy the discussion.