So, assuming that the military option is an option, what would you think are the counter-measures for that option? Surely the enemy is aware of this option if we are. So, do they just hang their heads in defeat and dutifully march off to the gallows?

No - when you demand "Do something damnit!!!!" you have to think about what that something is and what the counter measures would be.

I can think of a couple in moments -

1. Nuclear, bio, chemical blackmail
2. Compromise key military leadership

What other counter-measures? Would you consider the vaporization of a US to be acceptable collateral damage? Would the military leadership agree with that assessment?