I would say that sealing the Iraqi and Iranian borders would be the best first step for these two nations, but you seem to have a problem with deadly force and just what is appropriate when and where.

As you point out (a little more clearly than Drudge, btw), this is not even a TRUE story, but a floating RUMOR. It may be true, or at least based in truth (i.e., al Qui'da 'wants' a functioning nuke capability), but it is just as likely not true at all, really nothing more than a terrorist pipe dream -- but I'll bet it's enough to lower the population of Manhattan for a few months.

To run the assault correctly, though, I would expect the attack anywhere BUT New York. Picking a different target (Boston Harbor, Panama City, Galveston, or Charleston -- even the KSC -- and that's just the Atlantic-adjacent ports) would show the nation that any port is at threat, and every home is a target.

Dan