Defining deterrence

The Washington Times ^ | 9-29-05 | Robert R. Monroe

[JZelle]

Misunderstandings over "deterrence" are greatly damaging U.S. foreign policy and national security. Deterrence is based upon fear. We deter someone from an action against us by instilling fear of the consequences. To be effective, our threat of deterrence must be credible. Our adversary must absolutely believe we will carry out our threat. In the case of nuclear deterrence -- since the stakes are so high -- he must be confident the consequences for him will be intolerable; that we will destroy all he holds dear; that we will do so rapidly and devastatingly; and that the loss to him will be far greater than any gain from his planned action. A classic example was our wise and effective nuclear deterrence during the Cold War. The Soviet Union threatened to destroy America by launching nuclear weapons. We deterred this by the poised readiness of thousands of U.S. nuclear weapons targeted on those assets the Soviets valued most (their leadership, nuclear weapons, military forces, etc.).

[JZelle]

First, we should decommission all democrats.

[sheik yerbouty]

I'd prefer them defenestrated..

[sheik yerbouty]

I'd prefer them defenestrated..

[FairfaxVA]

Too funny! I haven't heard that word in quite some time.