The components of nuclear prevention have a physical and a psychological character. On the physical level, deterrence necessitates a series of military instruments, sufficient to threaten the opponent in a way that it would not even think of attacking. Successful deterrence is certain, however, only if the will is there to use these weapons. Deterrence is plausible only if a nation is able to successfully convey the first two points to its opponent, that it is capable and willing. Successful deterrence depends on the psychological components of communication and perception (Gaddis, 2010).

The bomb's impact on substantive historical developments has turned out to be minimal. Nuclear weapons are routinely given credit for preventing or deterring a major war during the Cold War era. It is increasingly clear that the Soviet Union never had the smallest amount of interest in engaging in any kind of conflict that would remotely resemble World...
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