Homonym: MAD (Anger)
MAD, or Mutually Assured Destruction, is a military strategy that emerged during the Cold War. It is based on the idea that if two opposing sides both possess enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other, neither side would initiate a conflict. The fear of total annihilation acts as a deterrent, preventing nuclear war between superpowers like the United States and Russia.
The concept of MAD relies on the principle of deterrence, where the threat of severe retaliation discourages aggressive actions. This strategy has shaped international relations and nuclear policies, leading to arms control agreements and efforts to reduce the number of nuclear weapons globally.