The thing about the MAD theory when it comes to nuclear weapons

Is that the leaders of these nuclear nations need to 1) acknowledge that MAD is actually true and their country will be wiped of the face of earth along with others and 2) Actually care about being destroyed.

What if we ever get a leader in one of these countries who doesn't care about the world being destroyed and demands the nukes get launched? then our nuclear weapons wouldn't be much of a detterent then.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 1

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

22

Original post by ckasj

Is that the leaders of these nuclear nations need to 1) acknowledge that MAD is actually true and their country will be wiped of the face of earth along with others and 2) Actually care about being destroyed.

What if we ever get a leader in one of these countries who doesn't care about the world being destroyed and demands the nukes get launched? then our nuclear weapons wouldn't be much of a detterent then.

Then it's our own fault for allowing them to get to those positions of power.

Reply 2

PTMalewski

20

That is why the M.A.D. works only as long as the leader isn't mad.
With the US and the USSR, it worked pefectly well because both sides were rational.

Imagine religious fanatics putting their fingers on atomic bombs though.

Reply 3

Napp

22

Original post by PTMalewski

That is why the M.A.D. works only as long as the leader isn't mad.
With the US and the USSR, it worked pefectly well because both sides were rational.

Imagine religious fanatics putting their fingers on atomic bombs though.

It appears MAD is in the process of crumbling though, Bush withdrew America from the cornerstone treaty [ABMT] which, from the Kremlins point of view, is what held it together. Together with the PGS program these both serve to seriously undermine the entire concept.