If the USA gets nuked

I cannot say for sure if all i've read about the suitcase nukes is fact or fiction. But let's suppose that Al Qaeda does have such devices in the USA. Now let's say that they nuke ahhh Cleveland (picked by random I promise), what then?

They are already at war with Al Qaeda and are trying desperately to root them out of any country that may be harboring them. But could the USA justify a nuclear strike as retaliation?? How could they? This is somewhat unsettling to say the least.

How can you win a war against a "Country unknown"? Would we blame Iran, Iraq, N. Korea?? Who?? If Al Qaeda exists in half a dozen countries what could the USA possibly do??

This is a good, but terrifying question. Unfortunately, the answer is...not much more than we are doing right now...

If such a thing happened though, there would likely be no turning back, and unfortunately, this WOULD turn into a Jihad, as the brainwashed public at large, would demand arab blood big time, and would make NO distinction between regular muslim, or militant muslim. If you thought what happened to the Japanese-Americans in WWII was tragic, just wait...and that is sad, but it's an undeniable fact of what will happen.

We'd see an almost immediate return to a draft, and we'd be far less "surgical" in our middle eastern strikes. We'd effectively be looking to take over just about every islamic state that even hints of sheltering terrorists. This would of course have the effect of emboldening our enemies (such as NK, etc.) to strike their long time foes no longer protected by America. The same would occur in Europe (but to a far lesser degree), with world attention focused elsewhere, many "ethnic cleansing" skirmishes are likely to flare up again.

We'd be looking at a stated goal of occupation and containment, augmented with a nuclear threat. I don't think we'll see the use of nukes though (even tactical) as that simply elevates the game to a whole new level, (at least I hope not), but if it does come to that....God (whichever one you believe in) help us...as nobody else can....(as an Atheist, I simply accept that I'm screwed....)

IMHO, the response would involve a few things. First, the US would have to show that OBL and company did in fact set off the nukes. Assuming that the US could more or less do this, the firt thing that would happen would be forced detention for muslims. This is not without precedent in US history (WWII) and would be justified by taking away (or reducing) the threat within the US.

Next, Mexico and Canada in particular would be forced to comply with US regulations or would face economic sanctions, or maybe even war.

Next assuming the source of the nuke could be identified, that country would face US retaliation. If it was a power such as Russia or China, most likely demands of nuclear regulations would be made. If it were a weak middle east country such as Iran, they would be nuked to hell.

Next, any country suspected of harboring terrorists would probably be invaded by the US.

All in all I think the slumbering giant that is the US would awake and start to exert some serius millitary power over any country that was even suspected of dealing with terrorists.

[edit on 28-7-2004 by American Mad Man]

One way or the other, right or wrong, the administration would find a culprit (even if its shaky) and go in. You are right, how would you go after them? You can bet any country that has ever or been accused of sponsoring terrorism would be on the hit list.

IMHO it would be a serious mistake to do so. It would give Bush and even Kerry the rational to go pretty much anywere we wanted to and clean house. I doubt the UN would even oppose in that type of scenario. Than being said, if the do have a small nuke, im putting my money on Israel.

I think you would find that the rest of the world would look back longingly to these days when the US was nice, gave you money, and at least played at being peaceful.

I think you would see a very isolationist, nationalistic, and unfriendly USA.

Just wipe out the middle east, stop immigration and cut terrorism in a few neat nuke blasts......

I would have to agree with the American Mad Man in regards to a nuclear release in the continental United States. It might take 24-36 hours to figure out who did it and who helped, but it would be lights out for the ones responsible! And I would not have a problem with that!

john

Probably Israel, although not Jerusalem as its holy to the Muslems as well. At the same time the terrorists stated purpose is to bring on this world conflict between the western world and the islamic world. Towards that end London and New York would bring about just what they want.

- Was

Originally posted by Dakuma
Now let's say that they nuke ahhh Cleveland (picked by random I promise), what then?

Ah hell, now I know I won't be sleeping tonight. THANKS ALOT DAKUMA!

Just wipe out the middle east, stop immigration and cut terrorism in a few neat nuke blasts......

If only it were that simple....

But then you'd have the deaths of millions of innocents
Contamination of neighboring (non-targetted) countries, due to fallout
Political suicide
The risk of inciting other nuclear nations to use them and target you!

And....

You'd STILL be left with terrorists, and would have now given them nothing to lose....

I started a similar thread about this a while back. Just thought there might be some interesting points on there you might want to read about.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Sorry build319 LOL - for what it's worth i'm not that far from Cleveland myself.

reason for edit: I said sorry to the wrong dude

[edit on 28-7-2004 by Dakuma]

Originally posted by FredT
Than being said, if the do have a small nuke, im putting my money on Israel.

Very true

If and when a nuclear strike occurs. I only hope that other domestic radical groups known or unknown do not take advantage. If you have multiple strikes in multiple states, a large death toll, you could see some very interesting things occur in America, and how she is held together. In order to curb this, there will be troops in the streets, and for how long? How can we answer a nuclear attack? It was always thought that if we were atacked it would be from a nation we could strike back at, such as Russia during the cold war.An attack of the magnitude of a nuclear bomb will thrust the entire world into conflict, as the US would not be seen as invincible anymore. and there are other pawns around the world at play. We became mortal on 9/11 as a country. We did not show weakness, but there were holes to attack us. The rain of venegence we would flex as a country would be greater than the world has known. It is truly a scary thought, so...stock up on batteries, water and a change of undies.

Originally posted by Dakuma
I cannot say for sure if all i've read about the suitcase nukes is fact or fiction. But let's suppose that Al Qaeda does have such devices in the USA. Now let's say that they nuke ahhh Cleveland (picked by random I promise),what then?

The United States turns into a Police State where everybody, it doesn't matter what religion, origin, or Political stance you take, is going to be a potential threat to the U.S Government. The camps are ready, and they're waiting for all those who would take any stand against the U.S Government, i.e. dissidents. It is a war on the people of the United States and the Constitution.

But could the USA justify a nuclear strike as retaliation?? How could they? This is somewhat unsettling to say the least.

No, the USA can't justify a nuclear assault against anybody just because one went off inside the "Homeland". Something like striking at another area of the world with a Nuke will be destructive to everybody. No, they won't retaliate with Nukes. They're only going to have a very good reason to put all U.S citizens on lock-down with a Police State.

How can you win a war against a "Country unknown"? Would we blame Iran, Iraq, N. Korea?? Who?? If Al Qaeda exists in half a dozen countries what could the USA possibly do??

The Draft will come into effect, so there will not be any problems in attacking and invading other Countries. Iran, I believe, is next. Everything is leading to an eventual conflict with China. The policy of the US Government is stated in the PNAC.


A Nuke attack inside the United States will be "allowed" as an inside job. Of course, they're going to blame "Al-Qaeda". Al-Qaeda in the United States will be a cover/front for the Mossad sleeper cells and CIA. The Government is planning to war against the freedoms of all Americans and they also plan on crumbling the Constitution for the coming New World Order. The time to wake up is now. If one still thinks Osama Bin Laden masterminded 9/11, you need to seriously wake up and see what's happening in the USA.

In an old interview in Cigar Afficionado magazine, I believe it was with General Tommy Franks, he said in the event of such a horrific strike, the US constitution would be suspended indefinitely, and martial law would reign supreme. And I believe he only covered the topic as what we would do here and not what we would do abroad.

Basically, there would be a lockdown and probably the biggest immigrant round-up you've ever seen. And it would be safe to say, that then would not be the time to protest in the streets about those people's human rights. I doubt the powers at large would be tolerant enough to even listen.

We have plenty of those empty "camps" waiting around to be filled.

Wow the more thought I give it the more I realize that this would be quite possibly the worst situation imaginable. The USA is not only THE world super-power but as many of you have pointed out, would not hesitate to strike back or act however it sees fit. Perhaps the only safe nuclear strike would be one that crushes a country completely, making them unable to lash out. This unfortunately does not describe the USA.

Thanks Hyperen I�ll read through that thread as well.

Originally posted by CAPT PROTON
Basically, there would be a lockdown and probably the biggest immigrant round-up you've ever seen. And it would be safe to say, that then would not be the time to protest in the streets about those people's human rights. I doubt the powers at large would be tolerant enough to even listen.

We have plenty of those empty "camps" waiting around to be filled.

Who exactly would protest? I mean this country is like 80-90% Christian. I dout if a nuke went off in a major city and it was linked to muslim terrorists that they woul find much sympothy.

BTW, not saying it's right, just the way it would be.

I agree with American Mad Man - there would be almost zero protest at least at first - and by the time people did become uneasy with the destruction etc.. it would probably be too late.

the countries on the axis of evil

iran,syria and north korea will have an executive order

regular or extra crispy nukes and will be history if the USA GET NUKED