[Loopy]

They COULD use a nuke over there, but they just wouldn't be able to kill that many Americans--it'd kill a lot more of them

Maybe that's the point. We know that they are fond of giving their lives for Islam.

[Poohbah]

Your scenario ignores the problem that the US response is far less likely to be sending TROOPS hither and thither, and more likely to be sending nuclear warheads here and there...never send an infantryman to do a nuclear warhead's job.