Those who are against a nuclear deterrent need to read up on the Cuban Missile crisis. Yes, dear sweet butter wouldn't melt in their mouths Russians, had nuclear weapons in Cuba, pointing directly at American cities.
The four minute warning is plenty of time to send 16 nuclear warheads in retaliation, which is why we won't be attacked.
Think of it as being in your home, whilst other houses in your street are being attacked. You have several machine guns at various windows protecting your property. You won't...
It's precisely because it's a no win situation, that it's a deterrent. I was well & truly in the Cold War, and who could forget the Cuban missile crisis?