Minimal deterrence
Minimal deterrence involves the ability to response to a
nuclear attack with a minimal nuclear counterstrike.
In contrast to
mutual assured destruction, the counterstrike would not
have the ability to destroy the attacker, but rather is intended to severely
damage the attacker in order to deter an attack.
It appears to be the nuclear posture that the
People's Republic of China maintains toward the
United States as well as the nuclear policy of
India and
Pakistan.