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Nuclear Weapon Terminology

Different words used to describe different theories in relation to nuclear weapons, as there are so many different.
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jackywm11
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Last updated: February 10, 2026
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First submittedFebruary 10, 2026
Times taken8
Average score17.6%
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Spread of nuclear weapons capability, either vertically or horizontally
Proliferation
Capability to build a nuclear weapon rapidly, whilst not being a possessor state
Latency
Use of threat to dissuade another power from attacking
Deterrence
Credible threat of two or more powers being able to annihilate the other(s)
MAD
The ability of your weapons to live beyond a nuclear first strike from an opponent
Survivability
Targeting of enemy's military infrastructure
Counterforce
Targeting of enemy's civilian population or political leadership
Countervalue
Method in which a nuclear strike is sent
Delivery system
1968 treaty designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons
NPT (Non-proliferation treaty)
The idea that the existence of nuclear weapons fundamentally changes something about international politics
Nuclear revolution
Forcing an adversary to do something
Compellance
Enhancing one's own prestige
Swagger
Type of deterrence involved in protection of only one's own assets
Direct deterrence
Type of deterrence involved in protection of third parties' assets also
Extended deterrence
Type of deterrence which is ongoing to prevent crisis situations from occuring
General deterrence
Type of deterrence involved short term to prevent imminent attack
Immediate deterrence
Scholar who argued that the spread of nuclear weapons would enhance stability
Kenneth Waltz
Scholar known for her work involving the Nuclear Taboo
Nina Tannenwald
Early scholar involved in the application of game theory to nuclear strategy
Thomas Schelling
Leading scholar in analysing the psychological factors involved in nuclear decision-making
Robert Jervis
Small weapon with usage meant for the battlefield specifically
Tactical nuclear weapon
Type of weapon designed with the intention of high radioactive consequence
Dirty bomb
First type of weapon developed by the US in the mid 1940s
Atomic bomb
Second type of weapon developed by the US in the 1950s
Thermonuclear/Hydrogen bomb
Being able to hit back if attacked first
Second strike capability
Having capability of delivering weapons via ICBMs, submarines and bombers
Nuclear triad
Scale used to determine likelihood of full-scale war
DEFCON
Meaning of ICBM
Inter-continental Ballistic Missile
Missile fired that flies at low altitudes, mainly for precision strikes
Cruise missiles
Meaning of ABM
Anti-ballistic missile
Final nuclear treaty between US and Russia which expired Feb 2026
START Treaty
Meaning of IAEA, a watchdog verifying compliance with rules
International Atomic Energy Agency
Explosive power equivalent to 1000 tons of TNT
Kiloton
Explosive power equivalent to 1000000 tons of TNT
Megaton
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