The I-400 force had political and psychological value as well as military uses. Damage to mainland refineries or ports could intensify arguments over whether forces should be retained for home defense instead of sent abroad. Physical destruction could divide attention and resources within a democracy facing attacks on its own territory. A raid did not have to be militarily decisive if headlines and political pressure forced costly changes in deployments or priorities.
Notable Point · 30:14-32:44
The political burden of attacks on the American mainland
Even limited attacks on the mainland could reshape political priorities by making overseas deployments harder to defend at home.