Yes USA has a lot of nuclear weapons, more than enough for Pakistan. But USA cannot use nuclear weapons against another nuclear state, however certain they can be of complete destruction of Pakistani assets. The thinking that goes into decisions like this in USA is different from other states. They won't think in terms of our losses and their losses. They think in terms of strategic advantage.
USA cannot use its WMDs against another nuclear state? Based on what?
USA is the most unpredictable nation in existence. Also this:
U.S. Keeps First-Strike Nuclear Strategy - WSJ
In short, US does not have second strike policy. Surprised?
Even a single nuclear explosion against any of their cities is simply unacceptable. They don't want to win a war, they want to stay at the top of the world order. Any such catastrophe will result in such huge financial losses that their economy will lose its footing. USA will lose it's position as a economic leader, and eventually its military position. They will never be able to catch up with other global players.
And Pakistan is in the position to make this possible?
Shortest answer: NO.
USA will not go down by loosing a city or two. Contrary to the popular belief, USA is far more resilient then it is often given credit for. The latest economic crises (second only to the great depression) did not dampen US resolve for its global ambitions and the country is now on the path towards economic recovery:
Why the US will power the world economy in 2015
Here is a reminder of what US does, when its mainland is targeted:-
1. Pearl Harbor
US joined WW-II, siding with the allied forces against AXIS alliance. The entire nation was mobilized for the war effort that ended with the defeat of all AXIS powers and use of 2 nuclear weapons. Millions dead on enemy front as well.
2. WTC (9/11 event)
US commenced WOT, and destroyed several nations in retaliation (i.e. Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya), and significantly damaged militant groups such as Al-Qaeda and Taliban. On the sidelines, US facilitated regime-change in Somalia via an African ally and motivated Israel to weaken powerful militant groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. US is now back in force to tackle another powerful militant group ISIS. Unfortunately, many Muslims have perished in this bloody war so far and many continue to suffer from its consequences.
And guess what? Iran is siding with US in its move against ISIS. Kinda ironic, right?
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Explode a nuke in a US city, and half of the world is guaranteed to be laid waste in retaliation afterwards. By the way, US homeland security is significantly beefed-up since the 9/11 event. So good luck in this attempt.
Secondly, I want to talk about their diplomatic influence. That too is a misconception. Firstly, Pakistan is not an isolated nation like North Korea or Iran. We do have our allies and benefactors. We did suffer sanctions 1988 onwards, made much worse in 1998, on the same level as Iran, made worse YET AGAIN after Musharaf came to power as he was a dictator and that automatically resulted in more sanctions as that was the stated US policy. So that's 13 years of sanctions. It seems we did fine.
Yes, but these allies have limits too (including China).
The greatest misconception is that Pakistan somehow evaded the negative effects of sanctions imposed on it by USA, it did not. Economy was in ruins and military capability had significantly declined.
So how did the situation change? 9/11 occurred and Musharraf sided with USA, a strategic shift that brought relief and prosperity with it and Pakistan made a recovery on all fronts.
Also, US did not sanctioned Pakistan on sheer war-footing, US continued to provide Pakistan some breathing space by providing the latter nation some aid for the necessities. In short, US did not utterly choke Pakistan. Here:
Sixty years of US aid to Pakistan: Get the data | Global development | The Guardian
In addition, Iran has been under sanctions since 1979, what difference has it made to them? Only if you are under tyrannical governments like N.Korea do your people suffer and "starve" as you mentioned. I think N.Koreans would starve even if the sanctions were removed, they just have a terrible government. As long as a government isn't extremely corrupt.
What difference have it made? Iranian economy have suffered, modernization efforts (on all fronts) significantly hampered, and the country have become a paper-tiger in the context of its military might. Iranian nuclear program have also suffered setbacks as a consequence.
However, Iran can afford to ward-off some effects of US sanctions because it is one of the largest OIL producing countries of the world. A country with
out the luxury of massive OIL production, is likely to end-up like N. Korea or worse. Heck, China is managing N. Korea.
Iran have so much potential, it can become one of the greatest powers of the world under ideal conditions. Unfortunately, sanctions dampened its progress.
Also, Iran's situation became much worse after their sanctions were passed in UNO. It will be impossible for any nation to pass any sanctions against Pakistan in UNO in today's world. The most they can do is pass their own sanctions in congress.
You underestimate the magnitude of influence that US holds over UNO. No country have been able to stop US from imposing sanctions on a country with or without UNO.
In-fact, US have imposed sanctions on even the mighty Russia in current times to dampen its recent military adventures and economic prosperity. Here:
BBC News - Ukraine crisis: Russia and sanctions
End result: Russian economy have suffered a setback and Ukraine related campaign have lost gas.
I do not think of Pakistan as some super power that can do whatever it wants like a lot of members on PDF, but I understand the geopolitical situation enough that USA can't harm us any more than we ourselves can let them. And when people do ridiculous fear mongering, I find it annoying.
This is your fantasy. Keep on dreaming.
How do you think the Seal helicopter was shot down by Taliban soon after the raid? That execution was pre-planned and a set up by Afghan Taliban. They knew the helicopter's exact route.
Navy SEALs Killed: Helicopter Crash Was Taliban Trap, Afghan Official Says
Did a New Taliban Weapon Kill a Chopper Full of Navy SEALs? | WIRED
Still that's just an assumption. What about their Joint Chief crying before senate about Haqqanis being an arm of the ISI? Do you still think Pakistan does not exert it's pressure? What have they been able to do about the ISI? Aren't they accusing ISI of directly being involved in killing US soldiers? What about Osama bin Laden hiding in Abbotabad? Why did they not do anything against people who sheltered someone who murdered 3000 of their people? Just two or three days ago they declassified documents they took from OBL's house that show ISI was in contact with him. Why don't they take action against us now? Insted we are getting $800m aid annually.
Truth is, Pakistan has done everything possible to antagonize USA. Yet we are doing fine. Because you just don't wake up one day and decide you are going to war with Pakistan. We are not some isolated toothless kid you randomly decide to beat around.
And your point is?
Pakistan have cooperated with US on many fronts as well during WOT. Only Kayani took a backseat in this matter due to multiple reasons, but current COAS is taking all the steps that Kayani didn't in the matters of targeting militant activities within Pakistani soil much like Musharraf.
Also, US have taken numerous actions against Pakistan, when it felt necessary to do so. However, some Pakistani have not learned anything from Salala and Operation Neptune Spear based events, it seems. Instead, myths have been concocted that soldiers were sleeping during the Salala incident and Pakistani top-brass cooperated with the US to stage a false-flag operation that is Operation Neptune Spear. God help this gullible nation.
If US wanted to, it could significantly exploit and blackmail Pakistan on the matter of OBL; it still can. So let us not assume that US is lacking spine to challenge "a not so isolated toothless kid." It have challenged bigger powers before and defeated them.
Get your facts straight, people.
