The level of nuclear weapons required to completely destroy both sides in any war making use of such weapons.
Massive Retaliation
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.
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
Ronald Reagan
It began in the 1940s at the start of the Cold War.
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.
The level of nuclear weapons required to completely destroy both sides in any war making use of such weapons.
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
It was a standoff called MAD-mutual assured destruction. Who ever attacked first would also be destroyed. MAD is just what it was---insane.