MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction)

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) is a military strategy where both sides, typically nuclear-armed nations, possess enough destructive power to destroy each other if a conflict occurs. Because each side knows that initiating an attack would lead to their own destruction, they are discouraged from starting a war. It relies on the idea that the threat of total nuclear annihilation serves as a deterrent, maintaining a fragile peace by ensuring that neither side gains by attacking first. Essentially, MAD is like a game where both players stand to lose everything, discouraging any aggressive actions.