The paralell to Rome is intentional. Rome had an uncanny ability to bring fear to the hearts of barbarians everywhere. We have the uncanny wisdom of not wishing to have anyone's territory, so our nation can last much longer than the old Empire did.
But Romans, like Americans, excelled in the practice of warfare. Romans understood that ninety percent of warfare is logistics. Americans know that in their bones.
Neither Romans nor Americans were romantic about war. Both peoples were hardheaded and practical. The Arabs are entranced by faith and self-immolation, wrapped up as they are in their death cult of martyrdom.
And if our homeland is nuked, trust me, our response will make those Arabs left alive envy the dead. They haven't seen mass murder. They have no idea what the West is capable, partly because they've been watching too much TV and are convinced we are soft.
Be Seeing You,
Chris