Nuclear strategy refers to the planning and policies that govern the use of nuclear weapons in military conflicts. It involves decisions about deterrence, which is the idea of preventing attacks by threatening retaliation with nuclear weapons. Countries develop their nuclear strategies based on their security needs, international relations, and the capabilities of potential adversaries. Key components of nuclear strategy include the concepts of mutually assured destruction (MAD), first strike, and second strike capabilities. MAD suggests that if two opposing sides have enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other, neither will initiate a conflict. First strike refers to a preemptive attack, while second strike involves responding to an attack with a counterattack.