Deterrence requires which of the following for success?

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Deterrence is the strategy of dissuading an adversary from taking a military action against oneself or one's allies by threatening to retaliate with overwhelming force. In order for deterrence to be successful, the adversary must believe that the punishment or retaliation will be certain, severe, and unavoidable. Therefore, commitment to punish or retaliate is essential for deterrence to work. Forcing a challenger to reverse or undo some action already taken and reducing an enemy's capability to do damage are both measures of active defense, which may support deterrence but are not essential components of a deterrence strategy. The use of nuclear weapons is a controversial topic in the context of deterrence and is not always necessary or appropriate.

Deterrence Requires Which of the Following for Success