>>> Oh. The nukes will not be delivered by an Arab *state*. Damascus,
>>> Cairo, and Baghdad may, however, barbeque in response...
>>>
>>>
>>> Brad DeLong
>>
>> Do you seriously think that is even a remote possibility?
>>
>> If deterrence works against a state using its own delivery device - as you
>> seem to believe, I am not so confident
>
> Well then if you are not confident that deterrence works against
> states, you've just answered your own question.
Quite. That's called "informing you of my opinion", part of the speech act of "asking a question". Indeed, I am not satisfied that those powers that currently have atomic weapons won't use them - what I don't understand is why you think there is a difference between Arab and Israeli or American bombs. That's the issue. Why would retaliation deter a state using a missile, but not a state using terrorists? Why would retaliation deter the current nuclear states from using terrorists but not Arabs? Because they are nuts?
Thiago