Changes

'''Mutually Assured Destruction''' was one of the primary [[Cold War]] strategies of the United States and [[Soviet Union]].  The basic premise was:

'''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

#Both sides ultimately wished to survive

#Both 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