Mutual Assured Destruction

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) is a military strategy where two or more opposing sides possess enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other completely. The idea is that because each side fears devastating retaliation, they are deterred from launching an attack in the first place. This mutual threat creates a balance of power, preventing war because any aggressive move would lead to total destruction for all involved. MAD emphasizes strategic stability through the recognition that neither side can win a nuclear conflict, encouraging caution and deterrence rather than escalation.