Which of the following is an example of deterrence?
A)The Soviet Union cutting off trade with Western countries so that they could not use economic sanctions as leverage in arms agreements
B)The United States threatening to attack Iran if it did not cease developing nuclear weapons
C)The Soviet Union placing missiles in Cuba so that it could threaten the United States
D)China attacking when the United States sent troops into North Korea during the Korean War

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Deterrence refers to the use of threats to prevent an adversary from taking a certain action. Option B is an example of deterrence because the United States is threatening to attack Iran in order to deter it from developing nuclear weapons. Options A, C, and D do not fit the definition of deterrence. Option A describes sanctions, which are a form of punishment rather than a threat. Option C is an example of coercion, where one side seeks to manipulate the actions of another by the use of force. Finally, option D is an example of a military action, rather than a threat, which is the characteristic of deterrence.

Which of the Following Is an Example of Deterrence