[Phantom Lord]

Probably true. But would an enemy nation be that stupid to invite retaliation? An emeny's first effort would be to attack our ability to react [like at Pearl Harbor].

Countries like China, yes. As evidenced by their current work on being able to disable our military and communication sattelites.

But China is not our current enemy. It could be in the future, or it could be one of our best friends. I can see China going either way.

But our current enemy, and enemies in the near and not so distant future are not countries like China. They are countries like Iran, Syria, and yes, Saudi Arabia.

Do they fear retaliation by the US? No. They invite it and want it. They are an enemy, where their ultimate victory is death through attacking the infidels and the heavenly rewards that await them for such acts.

Unlike wars in the past, where the leaders, fighters, and civilian populations ultimately wanted to LIVE, our current enemies want to DIE.

How do you fight an enemy whose actual goal is to die becasue of the rewards from doing so?

Threatening to kill them if they attack you isn't a deterent.

[ex-snook]

"How do you fight an enemy whose actual goal is to die becasue of the rewards from doing so?"

Ah c'on, enough. ?They want us to bomb them so they can be killed!