Which statement best describes the goal of nuclear deterrence?

Which statement best describes the goal of nuclear deterrence?

• A. To guarantee victory in every conflict
• B. It deters potential adversaries from pursuing WMD capabilities
• C. To eliminate all risk of miscalculation
• D. To replace diplomacy with force

Answer: (B)

At the heart of nuclear deterrence is making the costs of a potential action so high that an adversary decides not to pursue or use nuclear or other weapons. The goal is to prevent hostile steps by signaling a credible threat of unacceptable retaliation, not to guarantee victory in every conflict or eliminate all risk of miscalculation. It also doesn’t replace diplomacy with force; deterrence and diplomacy work together. The statement that deterrence best describes its aim is the one that says it deters potential adversaries from pursuing WMD capabilities.

At the heart of nuclear deterrence is making the costs of a potential action so high that an adversary decides not to pursue or use nuclear or other weapons. The goal is to prevent hostile steps by signaling a credible threat of unacceptable retaliation, not to guarantee victory in every conflict or eliminate all risk of miscalculation. It also doesn’t replace diplomacy with force; deterrence and diplomacy work together. The statement that deterrence best describes its aim is the one that says it deters potential adversaries from pursuing WMD capabilities.