[Restorer]

This is not the Cold War. It's far worse.

Disagree.

A full-scale nuclear exchange with the USSR would have resulted in the complete destruction of the US and the killing of the vast majority of Americans.

Terrorists have nothing anywhere near the capability, and won't develop it anytime soon.

They can hurt the US badly, but they cannot destroy it.

[Monty22]

Reason this is worse than the cold war:

There's no MAD right now. They can hit us without concern for their homelands. Until we make it clear, seriously clear, that we will destroy the islamic world if another attack happens we are in a very dangerous situation.

[optimistically_conservative]

Disagree with the disagree (sort of).

I believe the "terrorists" (a broad group) has 30 nuke "briefcases" that will "arrive" without the 30 minute warning we "enjoyed" with the USSR ICBMs (not sub based). With no MAD capability to respond.

This makes their use more possible, the situation more dangerous, and our response less sure. And the world's response to a "tactical nuke" being used (regardless of who, if anyone, takes credit) is very unpredictable and dangerous.