The world would change. The nation that launched the nuclear weapon will be threatened politically, economically and militarilly. Like many said it would change the world politically. Not only that since the Nuclear Weapons that were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are baby bombs compared to now and today's citys are more populated the effects would be desrtuctive. And for the first time ever we would see the effect and horrors of the Nuclear Weapon. It would spark global intervention almost every nation will be involved and the one that launched that 1 nuke will be named the enemy. But it is in my belief that Nuclear Weapons keep the balance of power. As an example the Cold War. If nuclear weapons did not exist there would have been another World War. Since both sides feared a Nuclear Holocaust they went through diplomacy rather than war. Would you think World War II would have happened if Nuclear Weapons existed? Today a nation will think twice of making war of fear an all out Nuclear War.

I guess my 1st question is: what if the country or people who use the nuke, do not wish to be discovered? How do you threaten someone if you are not sure who they are? I believe you are using the old MAD rules. You come after me, I will than come after you. But, suppose you can't find who is responcable for the attack. Than what, pick someone you do not like and pound them? And suppose you are up against people who do not care if you find them and kill them. I believe that world is facing the very real proablity that a city will get nuked. I think the world will be stunned. Most into inaction, do nothing so they do not provoke an attack on themselves. If a country does respond with overwelming force, to an attack, I think it is a good chance that they will be isolated and vilified.

This subject came up on another board, and one poster suggested the Don Corleone approach from "The Godfather." The pertinent quote goes: "I'm a superstitious man, and if some unlucky accident should befall Michael - if he is to be shot in the head by a police officer, or be found hung dead in a jail cell . . . or if he should be struck by a bolt of lightning - then I'm going to blame some of the people in this room; and then I do not forgive. But with that said, I pledge - on the souls of my grandchildren - that I will not be the one to break the peace that we have made today." IOW, put "the usual suspects" on notice ahead of time that if something like that happens, their own get fried poste haste. IMO, such a terrorist attack would be a large enough undertaking to require logistical and financial support from a nation-state sponsor, and that in the aftermath, the guilty party would be discovered.

Yimmy, that is sure to cause a "Mine shaft gap".