There's an extra layer of complexity here. One requirement for MAD to work is two key properties of ICBMs: * their launch is easily detectable * they take a l

There's an extra layer of complexity here. One requirement for MAD to work is two key properties of ICBMs: * their launch is easily detectable * they take a long time to reach the target, long enough to respond with your own ICBMs this incentivizes both sides to avoid a launch. It's like two people, each locked in a separate room, each with a button that will kill the other person. But when you push the button, the other person is notified, and they are not killed until after a 10-min countdown. This gives them 10minutes to respond on spite. So if you push your button, consider yourself dead. But what if the buttons were instantaneous, with no delay? Or what if the buttons did not trigger an alert in the other room? Your only option for self-preservation is to push your button immediately. Hyper glide entry nukes. If you can't detect them, and there's no warning, your only option is to strike first. That's the fear, anyway.