'''Mutually Assured Destruction''' (or MAD) was one of the primary [[Cold War]] strategies of the United States and [[Soviet Union]]. The basic premise was:
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== Introduction ==
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''''''Mutually Assured Destruction''' (or MAD) was one of the primary [[Cold War]] strategies of the United States and [[Soviet Union]]. The basic premise was:
#Both sides had the capacity to destroy the other completely
#Both sides had the capacity to destroy the other completely
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#Both sides ultimately wished to survive
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#B'''oth sides ultimately wished to survive
#Neither side could preemptively strike the other without assured and complete retaliation
#Neither side could preemptively strike the other without assured and complete retaliation
#Therefore, neither side would initiate nuclear war
#Therefore, neither side would initiate nuclear war