deterrence
/dɪˈtɝəns/
discouraging attack through threat of retaliation
deterrence in a sentence
“Nuclear deterrence prevented direct conflict.”
Origin of deterrence
Latin deterrere to frighten away
Related Words
brinksmanship
pushing a dangerous situation to the edge
Balkanization
fragmentation into smaller hostile units
Finlandization
forced neutrality under a powerful neighbor's influence
soft power
influence through culture and values rather than coercion
balance of power
distribution of power preventing any one state's dominance
sphere of influence
a region where one power has dominant authority