John Moore,Thanks for replying.

The threat would have to be against all those in a position to supply nuclear weapons,that no matter who the proxies are,the probable suppliers would be targeted.A form of reverse terrorism but a way to deter the use of proxies.Yes it is a threat against innocent people,but we are there already,a nuclear strike signals total war,sad that the seventh century can pollute the twenty first.

Also I think that host nations with terrorist cells are inclined to eliminate them, as Saddam Hussein did with Abu Nidal,if they expose them to retaliation.

I am presuming, from the example of Yasser Arafat and Osama bin Laden,that the leadership of any nation disseminating nuclear or biological weapons, wishes to survive,no matter how fanatical they are.I also presume that the Mullahs for example love their country,they may be milking it, but it is theirs,that is a very powerful emotion.Risking that by giving al Qaeda,which has nothing to lose, nuclear weapons doesn’t seem much of a bargain.

Any nuclear strike and the rules change,the niceties of human rights, the rules of interrogation, arrest warrants and assassination would be re-written.No western government could survive if it did not produce results.

We won’t like the new world, but any perpetrators would be found and they would talk and there would be a reckoning.