The level of nuclear weapons required to completely destroy both sides in any war making use of such weapons.
Massive Retaliation
The theory of nuclear war that both sides should have enough weapons to be able to effectively destroy the other, resulting in a stalemate and preventing either from starting a war.This theory fails when there are multiple sides.
Mutually Assured Destruction
nuclear deterrence - the idea that if you attack me with nuclear weapons then I will attack you back with nuclear weaponsmutual assured destruction - the idea that if you attack me with nuclear weapons then I will totally destroy you with nuclear weapons and if I attack you with nuclear weapons then you will totally destroy me with nuclear weapons - thus any nuclear attack by either party will result in the certain destruction of both parties
MAD stood for Mutual (or Mutually) Assured Destruction. It refers to nuclear weapons and the basic principle that if, (for example), the United States were to attack the Soviet Union using nuclear weapons then the Soviet Union would respond in the same way. In other words, in trying to destroy the opponent, the aggressor would have guarenteed their own destruction also.
It began in the 1940s at the start of the Cold War.
Ronald Reagan
Mutual Assured Destruction and proxy wars.
It ensures (hopefully) that both nations are too frightened to launch their nuclear munitions.
mutual assured destruction, espionage, detente.
MAD - Mutual Assured Destruction
If you try to blow me up I will blow you up. Nobody wins, so don't try.
Massive Retaliation
Mutual assured destruction
Preventing other countries with nuclear munitions from using them (nuclear deterrence, mutual assured destruction). Or, obviously, to end the world
Massive retaliation. The policy was called MAD- Mutual Assured Destruction. If you blow up my country, I will blow up your country.
It was a standoff called MAD-mutual assured destruction. Who ever attacked first would also be destroyed. MAD is just what it was---insane.