Why hasn’t America been nuked?

In praise of the Deep State

Seriously, why hasn’t America been nuked?

Let’s dive into my favorite “oh crap” scenario: a crazed dictator decides he's had enough of America. He's got nukes and a plan - sneak them into New York Harbor on a ship, truck a few more to our biggest cities, and set them off. 

There’s certainly no shortage of those who hate us. And while putting together an atomic weapon isn’t trivial, they’ve figured it out in North Korea and Pakistan, two countries that haven’t yet mastered producing reliable electricity for their citizens. So how hard could it be?

And yet, it hasn't happened. Why? The answer isn't just luck. It's our intelligence services.

I’ve certainly criticized those agencies, especially the FBI, for some darn good reasons. They’re too likely to spy on Americans, gather too much data, and stick their noses into our political system. Some of the dimmer political performers have even called for a “defunding” of the FBI.

It’s good to remember, though, that the main job of the Deep State is to keep America safe, and they’ve done it well. Let’s dig a little bit more into my nuke scenario, just one of a thousand doomsday plots our enemies would love to implement.

First off, let's talk spies. It's no secret that the U.S. has eyes and ears in every corner of the globe, especially in places where nukes are part of the equation. It starts with people tapping phones and hacking emails. That leads to more dangerous work on the ground, where they blend in and risk their lives to gather the intel that keeps us safe. They're looking for any sign that someone's trying to move a nuclear device in ways they shouldn't.

Then there's the tech side of things, like satellites and radiation detectors, and the people who know how to use them. If someone’s tried to coordinate a nuclear attack, chances are, the U.S. would be several steps ahead, working to cut them off at the pass.

Of course, none of this happens in a vacuum. The U.S. doesn't go it alone. It works with allies, sharing intel and coordinating responses to ensure that threats don't become tragedies. It's a global network of defense built on trust and cooperation.

Ultimately, preventing a nuclear 9/11 requires a unified effort across our government. Agencies have to share intel, coordinate operations, and work hand-in-hand. From the Pentagon to the Department of Energy to Homeland Security, everyone has a vital part to play. It's a complex machine.

Of course, the work of our intelligence community happens in the shadows. As citizens, we'll never know the full extent of the threats they help neutralize. Their successes are often hidden, while their failures get the spotlight. 

So while we should never stop holding our "Deep State" accountable, we should also appreciate the critical role they serve. In a world of growing threats, their constant vigilance is what lets us sleep soundly at night. They're quiet guardians of not just our way of life, but of our lives.

The next time you hear about the CIA, NSA, or any other alphabet agency in the news, take a moment to reflect. 

They’re not perfect, but they’re the thin line between us and those who plot harm, and for that, they deserve our respect and gratitude. Our lives depend on their service in the shadows.

– Ken