Nuclear deterrence is primarily intended to deter potential adversaries from which action?

Nuclear deterrence is primarily intended to deter potential adversaries from which action?

• A. Developing WMDs
• B. Attacking the United States
• C. Expanding Conventional Forces
• D. Cooperating with Allies

Answer: (A)

Nuclear deterrence works by making the potential costs of pursuing weapons of mass destruction so high that a rival thinks twice before trying to develop or acquire them. The credibility of a devastating retaliation creates a disincentive to go down the WMD path, because the outcome would be catastrophic for the aggressor. That preventative logic is why the primary purpose is to stop adversaries from developing or obtaining WMD capabilities in the first place. The other options don’t capture this preventive aim as directly: deterrence is not mainly about preventing attacks on the United States, expanding conventional forces, or compelling allied cooperation, but about stopping the spread and potential use of WMDs.

Nuclear deterrence works by making the potential costs of pursuing weapons of mass destruction so high that a rival thinks twice before trying to develop or acquire them. The credibility of a devastating retaliation creates a disincentive to go down the WMD path, because the outcome would be catastrophic for the aggressor. That preventative logic is why the primary purpose is to stop adversaries from developing or obtaining WMD capabilities in the first place. The other options don’t capture this preventive aim as directly: deterrence is not mainly about preventing attacks on the United States, expanding conventional forces, or compelling allied cooperation, but about stopping the spread and potential use of WMDs.