[carbocation]

From a certain perspective, it is actually good that this is worthless against China or Russia: namely, if they don't perceive it as a threat, then they won't fight its deployment or try to build up arms in response.

Consequently, it may prove useful in neutralizing the threat posed by medium-to-long-range weapons possessed by particular actors (Iran, North Korea) to allies in the region. (I say allies because I agree with you - if they wanted to attack the US, doing so via conventional means would be extraordinarily foolish.)