Cedarford still does not get it.

Pakistani, and Iranian, and to a lesser extent North Korean nukes change everything.

What is NYC worth? Around 3-10 million people (depending on the type of nuke, follow-on attacks, etc.)

For that, one needs everything. Cops on the beat, and deterrence abroad based on a variety of military forces. Not just to generals and presidents, but tribal peoples. Who hold the keys to nukes. Nuclear proliferation = gravest danger to America in generations. Since deterrence is much, much harder.

Cedarford would save a few hundred billion and lose NYC. And or DC.

But what the heck, unicorns and rainbows will protect us. From hard men used to killing to advance, who now have nukes.