- published: 27 Feb 2012
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Deterrence theory gained increased prominence as a military strategy during the Cold War with regard to the use of nuclear weapons. It took on a unique connotation during this time as an inferior nuclear force, by virtue of its extreme destructive power, could deter a more powerful adversary, provided that this force could be protected against destruction by a surprise attack. Deterrence is a strategy intended to dissuade an adversary from taking an action not yet started, or to prevent them from doing something that another state desires. A credible nuclear deterrent, Bernard Brodie wrote in 1959, must be always at the ready, yet never used.
In Thomas Schelling's (1966) classic work on deterrence, the concept that military strategy can no longer be defined as the science of military victory is presented. Instead, it is argued that military strategy was now equally, if not more, the art of coercion, of intimidation and deterrence. Schelling says the capacity to harm another state is now used as a motivating factor for other states to avoid it and influence another state's behavior. To be coercive or deter another state, violence must be anticipated and avoidable by accommodation. It can therefore be summarized that the use of the power to hurt as bargaining power is the foundation of deterrence theory, and is most successful when it is held in reserve.
Mutual assured destruction, or 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 (see pre-emptive nuclear strike and second strike). 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 strategy is a form of Nash equilibrium in which, once armed, neither side has any incentive to initiate a conflict or to disarm.
The MAD doctrine assumes that each side has enough nuclear weaponry to destroy the other side and that either side, if attacked for any reason by the other, would retaliate without fail with equal or greater force. The expected result is an immediate, irreversible escalation of hostilities resulting in both combatants' mutual, total, and assured destruction. The doctrine requires that neither side construct shelters on a massive scale, such as there are in Switzerland. If one side constructed a similar system of shelters, it would violate the MAD doctrine and destabilize the situation, because it would not have to fear the consequences of a second strike. The same principle is invoked against missile defense.
How nuclear strategy defined the Cold War, based on the logic that one nuclear armed state would not attack another, out of fear of incurring unacceptable damage in a retaliatory attack.
We are ethically obliged to keep it. Social Media Minds: https://www.minds.com/Sargon_of_Akkad Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sargonofakkad100/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sargon_of_Akkad Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SargonofAkkad/ Credits and Sources Intro animation: Undoomed https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTrecbx23AAYdmFHDkci0aQ Outro Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etDon1LH1vA Corbyn won't do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51mzptzgAXU
Some national security experts believe that adhering to the theory of nuclear deterrence makes a country more secure. But does it really?
British politicians have voted on an issue that will have a profound impact on the future of the country's security. They have overwhelmingly voted to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system. Britain's nuclear submarines are expected to be decommissioned some time after the year 2030. And for the past 10 years, there's been debate over what should replace them. New Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wouldn't hesitate to launch a nuclear strike. And that Trident is a crucial pillar of Britain's security. But is this kind of system still relevant? And can nuclear power really protect the world's superpowers? Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Paul Ingram - Executive Director of the British American Security Information Council. Doug Bandow - Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute....
If you would like to know the facts about the UK's nuclear deterrent go to www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-nuclear-deterrence-the-facts #trident
Deterrence theory gained increased prominence as a military strategy during the Cold War with regard to the use of nuclear weapons. It took on a unique connotation during this time as an inferior nuclear force, by virtue of its extreme destructive power, could deter a more powerful adversary, provided that this force could be protected against destruction by a surprise attack. Deterrence is a strategy intended to dissuade an adversary from taking an action not yet started, or to prevent them from doing something that another state desires. Credits: Tech. Sgt. Beth Anschutz, National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office
Kissinger as an academic on deterrence and the Soviet Union. Interview from 1958.
Global conflict and instability have always been a part of human history, and America’s nuclear forces serve as the nation’s ultimate form of deterrence in a world where global engagements are becoming increasingly complex. With eight known countries in possession of nuclear weapons and others trying to acquire them it’s imperative the U.S. maintains a safe, secure and effective nuclear capability. In other words, the U.S. nuclear deterrence mission is here to stay.
On Deterrence is a documentary that presents a contemporary dialogue involving different viewpoints about the evolution of nuclear weapon deterrence since World War II and how deterrence may evolve in the future. The intent of this film is not to advocate any one viewpoint, but to make a lasting contribution to the history of deterrence and to the long-term dialogue about the role of U.S. nuclear weapons as a deterrent. The film features interviews from more than 30 experts, including: National Nuclear Security Administration head Gen. Frank Klotz; Ploughshares Fund president Joseph Cirincione; former U.S. senators Sam Nunn of Georgia and Jon Kyl of Arizona; Carnegie Endowment for International Peace senior associates Ashley Tellis and James Acton; former secretaries of defense James Schl...
How nuclear strategy defined the Cold War, based on the logic that one nuclear armed state would not attack another, out of fear of incurring unacceptable damage in a retaliatory attack.
We are ethically obliged to keep it. Social Media Minds: https://www.minds.com/Sargon_of_Akkad Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sargonofakkad100/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sargon_of_Akkad Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SargonofAkkad/ Credits and Sources Intro animation: Undoomed https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTrecbx23AAYdmFHDkci0aQ Outro Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etDon1LH1vA Corbyn won't do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51mzptzgAXU
Some national security experts believe that adhering to the theory of nuclear deterrence makes a country more secure. But does it really?
British politicians have voted on an issue that will have a profound impact on the future of the country's security. They have overwhelmingly voted to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system. Britain's nuclear submarines are expected to be decommissioned some time after the year 2030. And for the past 10 years, there's been debate over what should replace them. New Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wouldn't hesitate to launch a nuclear strike. And that Trident is a crucial pillar of Britain's security. But is this kind of system still relevant? And can nuclear power really protect the world's superpowers? Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Paul Ingram - Executive Director of the British American Security Information Council. Doug Bandow - Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute....
If you would like to know the facts about the UK's nuclear deterrent go to www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-nuclear-deterrence-the-facts #trident
Deterrence theory gained increased prominence as a military strategy during the Cold War with regard to the use of nuclear weapons. It took on a unique connotation during this time as an inferior nuclear force, by virtue of its extreme destructive power, could deter a more powerful adversary, provided that this force could be protected against destruction by a surprise attack. Deterrence is a strategy intended to dissuade an adversary from taking an action not yet started, or to prevent them from doing something that another state desires. Credits: Tech. Sgt. Beth Anschutz, National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office
Kissinger as an academic on deterrence and the Soviet Union. Interview from 1958.
Global conflict and instability have always been a part of human history, and America’s nuclear forces serve as the nation’s ultimate form of deterrence in a world where global engagements are becoming increasingly complex. With eight known countries in possession of nuclear weapons and others trying to acquire them it’s imperative the U.S. maintains a safe, secure and effective nuclear capability. In other words, the U.S. nuclear deterrence mission is here to stay.
On Deterrence is a documentary that presents a contemporary dialogue involving different viewpoints about the evolution of nuclear weapon deterrence since World War II and how deterrence may evolve in the future. The intent of this film is not to advocate any one viewpoint, but to make a lasting contribution to the history of deterrence and to the long-term dialogue about the role of U.S. nuclear weapons as a deterrent. The film features interviews from more than 30 experts, including: National Nuclear Security Administration head Gen. Frank Klotz; Ploughshares Fund president Joseph Cirincione; former U.S. senators Sam Nunn of Georgia and Jon Kyl of Arizona; Carnegie Endowment for International Peace senior associates Ashley Tellis and James Acton; former secretaries of defense James Schl...
Jim Jones presents his experience with the birth of the submarine nuclear deterrent during the cold war.
Documentary on nuclear deterrence during the Cold War. Uploaded for educational purposes.
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats & Capabilities
The subcommittee met to receive testimony on sustaining nuclear deterrence after New START.