MAD as per its namesake rested on the sanity of leadership. It was the accepted Sword of Democles and a guarantee that those entrusted with global power subscri

MAD as per its namesake rested on the sanity of leadership. It was the accepted Sword of Democles and a guarantee that those entrusted with global power subscribed to a basic level of common sense: Give into aggressive instincts and die. Suddenly this guarantee which has brought us if not peace then a little breathing room was torn like a thin veneer. We have had 70 years to get our act together, dealing with the consequences that drumfire and shellshock of two world wars had on the European subconscious mind.