What would be the ramifications of a nuclear attack by terrorists on the U.S.

I doubt that there would be an “instinctive” retaliation if the source of the nuke was not yet known. Nuclear weapons are far too useful instruments of power to use for feel-good purposes – at least I imagine that this is the view of those with access to the big red buttons.

In case the nuke was traced to come from a foreign state, and the powers that be felt that there was sufficient evidence to say that this state had intentionally released this nuke upon the US (even if the delivery mechanism was a terrorist group), I believe that there would be a nuclear response against this state from the US. I’d speculate in something along the lines of the destruction of all significant military and governmental assets, but hopefully stopping short of destroying population centers.

In any case, I feel little need to fear the downfall of US society just because of the loss of a city (or even two). Look at the state of Europe after WWII – it would take quite a lot of nukes to approach that kind of destruction in the US. The biggest problem for society might be an increase in groups trying to make the US respond by launching a holy war on the Islam, but I don’t think that they would be many enough to be truly significant, even after a nuclear attack.

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(By the by, first post. Hi!)

The US should simply make it clear that any nuclear attack on us would be answered by turning Mecca into a smoking crater. Muslims might then think twice. Surgical removal of the terrorist cells would be more humane, but we won’t be able to run to the UN for permission if we are going to strike with any surprise.