I think the real issue is going up against ‘near peer’ adversaries as opposed to terrorists hiding in a cave. And the Russians are armed with Tunguska’s and advanced integrated Air defenses.
There is no way an A-10 would survive against a Russian Air Defence battalion. Be that as it may, stealth and hypersonics and standoff weapons will be the only real answer..
Actually, the war in Ukraine has shown that something like the A-10 should be reasonably survivable in such an environment - remember, the A-10’s mission is not to be the penetrator aircraft. It’s designed to follow the Wild Weasels in after their SEAD mission has been performed to savage enemy tank formations.
Deal with the Tunguska’s with AGM-65 Mavericks. The Warthog can carry Mavericks, or have another plane carry Mavericks.