A great power like the USA cannot do wholesale death and destruction in response to a terrorist attack...especially one coming from rogue elements and not recognized countries.
And, really...ALL here should know that.
You can be sure that if Iran nukes Israel, Iran will cease to exist as we know it.
This is the thinking the terrorists rely on. The Muslim countries have exported their military function to prevent our effective response against them. We struggle with the shadows while they are the ones blocking the light. In the end, all Muslims have the same goal--world domination. Their tactics differ and they may want their particular flavor of Islam but it will be Islam by any means.
I agree with that, but I think we would've fought a tougher (at home and abroad) than we have - IOW much different ROE. Sadr and his group, for example, would have been taken out. Additionally, the Dems, ACLU, UN etc wouldn't have been tolerated when they undermined our troops and foreign and domestic war effort. Also, Airport security etc would not have been frisking Aunt Sadie while letting Abdul pass to avoid 'profiling'.