Deterrence

Definition

Deterrence is a strategy used during the Cold War where nations aim to prevent enemy attacks or aggression by convincing them that the costs would be too high. It relies on creating fear through building up military capabilities, particularly nuclear weapons.

Related terms

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD): A doctrine stating that if two nations engage in full-scale war with nuclear weapons, both will suffer catastrophic destruction.

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT): Negotiations between the United States and Soviet Union aimed at limiting strategic arms (nuclear weapons) between both superpowers.

Cuban Missile Crisis: A tense confrontation between the United States and Soviet Union in 1962, where the world came close to nuclear war over Soviet missiles stationed in Cuba.