Mutual assured destruction depends upon

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mutual assured destruction (MAD) is a doctrine of military strategy and national security policy in which a full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would cause the complete annihilation of both the attacker and the defender. It is based on the theory of deterrence, which holds that the threat of using strong weapons against the enemy prevents the enemy's use of those same weapons. The key to MAD is not just the ability to launch an initial nuclear attack (first-strike capability), but more importantly, the assurance of a devastating counter-attack (second-strike capability). This means that both states must have a credible second-strike capability, ensuring that neither side could prevent the other from retaliating in the event of a nuclear attack. This capability creates a stalemate, where neither side would initiate a conflict for fear of mutual destruction.

Mutual Assured Destruction Depends Upon