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.
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
Ronald Reagan
It began in the 1940s at the start of the Cold War.
Mutual Assured Destruction and proxy wars.
mutual assured destruction, espionage, detente.
It ensures (hopefully) that both nations are too frightened to launch their nuclear munitions.
If you try to blow me up I will blow you up. Nobody wins, so don't try.
MAD - Mutual Assured Destruction
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.
Massive retaliation. The policy was called MAD- Mutual Assured Destruction. If you blow up my country, I will blow up your country.