Embracing the Moon in the Sky or Fishing the Moon in the Water?:
Some Thoughts on Military Deterrence: Its Effectiveness and Limitations
Deterrence as a military strategic concept came along after the debut of nuclear weapons. For more than 60 years, it has evolved into one of the most frequently used—and abused—concepts in the games of international politics and military services. In the meantime, numerous related theories, ideas, and notions have branched out. Exactly what is deterrence—its nature, effectiveness, and limitations? How and why is the concept often miscomprehended and misinterpreted, and why has it evolved to become something mythical? What effects has it had on the global security environment? And how should the militaries of developing nations view and employ deterrence? This article tries to answer these questions.