Phasmid: They should be able to prove these things conclusively given the resources the US has in terms of spy satellites and the like. So, why don't they?
To whom? To you? What you will do then, with that proof?
Looks like you have a pretty blurry idea of proving something. There is proving in scientific terms, and in law terms, which one you'd prefer here? In both cases you cannot reach a
sure-thing level, just with scientific we're tend to rely more on experiment, than on opinion, and we're still incomparably more good in
disproving than in
prooving, due to nature of experiment.
So suppose UN, US, NATO, etc will show some pics, videos, documents etc, whatever they would call the
proofs, and decided to act based on that "proof". Your actions? "I dont believe their evidence, so its just lame excuse from them", or maybe something else? If not - basically you're asking for proofs for yourself, despite you cannot provide any important actions after receiving them. Also suppose a case what the given proof actually is false, but you also think what its correct, with UN, US, NATO, etc share your vision too. Any difference then?
Thus leading to other case. Aforementioned UN, US, NATO, etc will show some pics, videos, documents etc, whatever they would call the
proofs, and decided
not to act based on that "proof". Your actions? Setting aside the easy case when you also dont see that "proofs" as proofs, and concentrating on other one, in which you decided to see the proofs as actual evidence. So, your actions, you see stuff as proof, but no action happend in result still?
So there is 8 cases:
Actual correctness of proofs (while we cannot easily trace it in real life, but its possible here for our goal): 1 (true) or 0 (not)
Actions was perfomed by " actual users of proof" or not (in our case = their version about true of false of proof in data): 1 or 0
Your version about true or false or proof of data: 1 or 0
So the need is look at your actions in 8 possible cases to find what bit is most significant, and what bit is least.
We can see what proof without action simply destroy the proof, making it useless statement in incoherent conversation. For example, if some side in court proved guilt of other side - but it resulted in no action by court - the proof is become meaningless due to incoherence of court, so there is no need in such proof from start, its equal to simple opinion or nothing. Or you can claim what you still doesnt have any proof what Earth isnt covered by some crystal half-sphere 9 km height. Ok, nobody care, and nobody would prove it to you, just you should be prevented from any charge in aerospace industry, pretty simple. You could decided to do your own homework on a subject any time, or be good in your "no proof" faith without real harm to nobody beside you.
So anytime you rise the proof theme without any real possible actions in result - you discredit not only yourself, but also whole idea of mechanism of proving. But lets move to the possible actions. Proofs are of different levels of labor needed. Say, its quite easy to prove what 2x2=4 in decimal system. So, in case such proof would be needed - its not a real problem to even do a favor, and simply show it, assuming as action something so equally easy as futher coherence from interlocutor (so he wouldnt ask to prove what 2x3=6, then what 2x4=8 etc). But proves could also be pretty hard. Say one ask for proves about Fermat theorem, well, was indeed proved. Its possible, but not easy, so you will need something valuable your work of re-proving some already proved fact, for example if a side, what asking for a proof, can provide 100 bil $ in return - it could be of interest for some people to try, but if the only action in result being a "ok, now im agree what it was proved, wasnt really cared about anyway" - it would be definitely less wasteful on human resources to just let him keep his ignorance on a subject, as its not worthy a labour needed.
So we see what not any action resulted from aquiring proof is worthy still. So, what worthy
you will offer for hard proofs (well, they arent even close to Fermat, but still), and to whom?
Let take a peek on another case, where
proofs could be used. They are used in case of non-known, new, highly falsificable data. Say i would write here, what Martians descended in saucers here already and firing their blasters. There is perfectly correct case to ask for a proof, as provided data is very falsificable, with very high probability to be actually erroneous. So you
cant use it to base you'r actions on it without verification (or you're silly). As supplier of true, but falsificable by nature, data, i would surely need to provide one, as you cannot rule out some unintentional mistake by me (even setting aside intentional ones), and cant know it on your own, because you
ignorant on a subject (no negative connotation, you simply have no data about, and cant operate it, without your own fault). Thats how its go in science. You're not award a Noble prize on physics to a guy, who say what he had built antigravity engine. But you do after (if) he verify it with proofs, thats fair. Now to a quite often case of true ignorancy meeting a low falsificable data,
suppose: There is a discussion about binary calculations, you and other guy, short conversation, near start of it you're saying something like:
-".... so, as 1+1=10, then we can see.."
-"hmm, as far i know 1+1=2, at least i never heard about any proof what support your words, surely you're free to prove it in case you think you're able, but i think its unlikely, and you just bad at math" is coming in responce.
Now,
while its definitely possible, and quite easy to provide a requested proof, problem is... no matter will you do it or not - further conversation have no sence in initial meaning. Other contributor is ignorant on a subject he participate, and erroneously overestimate falsifiability of your statement, as the data he need as proof was available to him prior the start of conversation, and he was supposed to know it already, otherwise there was no point for him to jump it. Unlike a Martian saucer example - now ignorance is only on his own fault. So, even if you will provide needed proof - you will have to drop a conversation anyway, as soon there later would be need in next one, then in next one, about many other subjects he supposed to know
prior conversation. In other words you have nothing to talk about with him, as the only new data he can deliver to you is what else he dont know.
So, sadly, when contributors suddenly start to require a proofs for some basic facts - they usually had to learn it somewhere else first, as otherwise it would be extremally easy to derail a conversation with endless groundless demands for proofs at any step, with nothing to return for them. Its useless in case you actually trying to get whats going on.
So, returning to a start, if you ask for a proof - you need to clearly realize
what you will do with them. And what all others can or canot do with proofs, even if they arent proofs for you, and how it will affect your actions. Proofs have a price, they arent just gentlemen talk.