Prepared by: Angel M. Morris
In Partial Fulfillment of the Course Requirements for MAIR 605: Concept of International Relations
Taught by Dr. Akiah P. Glay, collaborated with Cllr. Phil Tarpeh Dixon
December 2025
1.0 Introduction
The concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) remains one of the most defining strategic doctrines of the nuclear age.
Developed during the Cold War, MAD is a security framework based on the assumption that when two adversarial states possess secure second-strike nuclear capability, neither can initiate a nuclear attack without guaranteeing its own annihilation.
This dynamic of reciprocal vulnerability was intended to deter nuclear war, stabilize superpower relations, and influence global security policies.p8
This paper explores the historical origins of MAD, examines its application during the Cold War, and analyzes its relevance in contemporary geopolitics. It also evaluates technological disruptions, the evolution of nuclear actors and the weakening of arms-control frameworks that continue to shape MAD’s strategic significance today.
2.0 Origins of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)
MAD emerged during the early Cold War, shaped by the rapidly evolving nuclear capabilities of the United States and the Soviet Union. The U.S. atomic monopoly ended in 1949 when the Soviet Union detonated its first atomic device, introducing strategic parity between the two powers.
By the 1950s and 1960s, both superpowers developed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), enabling devastating retaliatory nuclear strikes even after absorbing a first attack. Political theorists and strategists such as John von Neumann, Bernard Brodie, and Thomas Schelling contributed to the conceptual framework of MAD, arguing that nuclear weapons served primarily as deterrents rather than instruments of war.
3.0 Application of MAD During the Cold War
3.1 Nuclear-Weapon States by Order of Acquisition
For academic clarity, nuclear-armed states are listed in strict chronological order based on
their first successful nuclear tests:
- United States – 1945
- Soviet Union/Russia – 1949
- United Kingdom – 1952
- France – 1960
- China – 1964
- India – 1974
- Israel – 1960s–1970s (undeclared but widely acknowledged)
- Pakistan – 1998
- North Korea – 2006
The first five states are recognized as nuclear-weapon states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968.
3.2 Cold War Dynamics
During the Cold War, MAD solidified the strategic rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Crises such as the Berlin confrontation (1961) and the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) highlighted how the risk of nuclear escalation compelled both sides to adopt caution and develop communication mechanisms.
Military strategies increasingly focused on ensuring retaliatory capability, which led to the development of hardened missile silos, submarine-based deterrents, early-warning radars, and redundant command-and-control systems.
3.3 Arms Control and Stability
Although MAD contributed to nuclear stability, it also encouraged extensive arms races. In response, the superpowers developed arms-control agreements to reduce risks and introduce predictability. These included:
- Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I & II)
- Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty (1972)
- Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty (1987) — INF = Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
- Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties (START I & II)
These agreements played significant roles in reducing nuclear tensions and regulating the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
4.0 MAD in the Post–Cold War and Contemporary Era
4.1 Multipolar Nuclear Order
Following the Cold War, the nuclear landscape shifted from a bipolar U.S- Russia rivalry to a more complex multipolar arrangement involving China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and undeclared nuclear states such as Israel. This multipolarity introduces new deterrence challenges due to differing strategic cultures, asymmetric nuclear capabilities, and underdeveloped communication frameworks.
4.2 Technological Disruptions
Emerging technologies increasingly threaten the stability of MAD. These include: Cyber warfare targeting nuclear command-and-control systems
- Hypersonic missiles that drastically reduce reaction time
- Artificial intelligence, which risks miscalculation in automated responses
- Counter-space weapons that threaten early-warning satellites
Such technologies blur the line between conventional and nuclear threats, making escalation more probable.
4.3 Erosion of Arms-Control Agreements
The weakening of landmark arms-control frameworks further destabilizes the
MAD environment. Notably, the U.S. and Russia withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019, and uncertainty surrounds the future of New START. This erosion has reintroduced dynamics reminiscent of early Cold War instability and accelerated global arms modernization programs.
5.0 Conclusion
MAD played a crucial role in preventing direct conflict between major powers during the Cold War.
However, its continuous relevance remains challenged by technological transformations, multipolar nuclear actors, and the decline of arms-control regimes. While MAD still shapes contemporary deterrence, its effectiveness will depend on adaptation to modern geopolitical realities and renewed international commitment to arms-control and crisis-management mechanisms.
About the Author: Angel M. Morris is a commited public sector professional currently serving at the Bureau of Cultural Affairs, where she contributes to the coordination and execution of national cultural programs, heritage initiatives, and public engagement activities.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice, and she is a graduate of the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), where she earned a professional certificate in Administrative Management. She is presently pursuing a Master of Arts in International Relations at the Cuttington University Graduate School, with academic interest in governance.
Angel M. Morris work reflects a strong blend of administrative competence, analytical depth, and cultural insight. Through her role, she supports government efforts to strengthen Liberia’s cultural identity and promote national cohesion through coordinated programs and performances. Beyond her public sector commitments, she is exploring entrepreneurial ventures in the beauty and creative industries.
She is recognized for her disciplined work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and ability to integrate academic knowledge with practical public service delivery.
References
Brodie, B. (1946). The Absolute Weapon: Atomic Power and World Order. Harcourt Brace.
Freedman, L. (2003). The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy (3rd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Press.
Office of the Historian. (n.d.). The Cuban Missile Crisis. U.S. Department of State.
Schelling, T. C. (1966). Arms and Influence. Yale University Press.
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. (n.d.). Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
About the Author
