An arming state's capacity to retaliate after an adversary's first-strike attack with weapons of mass destruction is practicing________.
A) nuclear utilization theory (NUTs)
B) second strike activation and defense (SSAD)
C) strategic defense initiative (SDI)
D) second-strike capability (SSC)
E) mutual assured destruction (MAD)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Second-strike capability (SSC) refers to a country's assured ability to respond to a nuclear attack with powerful nuclear retaliation against the attacker, ensuring deterrence by maintaining the capacity to retaliate after a first-strike attack.

An Arming State's Capacity to Retaliate After an Adversary's First-Strike