I think we would see an overwhelming show of force against whoever was identified. Maybe not nuclear but something massive. I, also, think our military would simultaneously withdraw the rest of the world. I think this is what we should do anyway: stop trying to police the world but be ready with overwhelming force.
The other possibility is that not much would change. You have to understand the first attack was the most shocking. Most people are used to living with the possibility of dying at any given time. So, it is not so much that one could be killed but the method.
So, an attack of the same scale would not have as much effect especially if it didn't involve planes and only involved taking down a building. If it involved gas or radiation then we would see a greater response.
It is what we are conditioned. If there were enough attacks over time people would start to ignore them. For example, we have a lot of gun murders in this country. Most people just accept them.
Many of the attacks in India have involved small arms and unless it was on a great scale here then again I think it wouldn't have a profound impact because we've had crazies kill people with guns.
I think, if the attacker, was from an Arab or Middle Eastern state then the rejection of racial profiling would receive a lot of attention. I think that behavioral profiling and security policies would receive more attention -- which they should.
We might, also, learning from our first mistakes try to get sympathy from the rest of the world. I would not be surprised if a join action involving several western powers were involved. If the attack was large enough I'd expect China and Russia to form a pact and denounce our joint action. However, a joint action would send a strong message that terrorism wasn't acceptable.
Israel might take the opportunity to attack Iran which they fear. If the Arab springs states then stopped shipping oil then oil prices would sky rocket which would, also, concern China. The embargo would at the same restrict goods getting into the middle eastern states plunging them into a third world status.
While oil prices would plunge the stock market, the Americans would fare much better then the Arab states and they would be forced to eventually come to peace.
Africa could become very important in all of this.
Quote from morganist:
I was just thinking with the threat that has been discovered against New York. What would be the reaction if there was another twin tower size attack. They could not go to war with Afghanistan or Iraq because they are already there. Would they extend the war to Iran?
Thoughts?
