What did critics call the massive retaliation policy?

Answer 1

Critics referred to the massive retaliation policy as "brinkmanship," highlighting its reliance on the threat of overwhelming nuclear force to deter aggression. They argued that this approach created a dangerous and unstable security environment, as it risked escalating conflicts into nuclear war. Additionally, some believed it lacked flexibility and failed to address smaller-scale conflicts effectively, potentially undermining U.S. credibility in conventional warfare.