Which statement best defines deterrence?

Which statement best defines deterrence?

• A. Encouraging an enemy to take action
• B. Reducing readiness
• C. Discouraging an enemy from taking action
• D. Promoting alliance burdens

Answer: (C)

Deterrence is about preventing an adversary from taking an action by making the consequences of that action clear and credible, so the costs outweigh the benefits. The statement that discourages an enemy from taking action captures this idea exactly. It relies on credible capability and resolve, conveyed through clear signaling and readiness, to ensure the adversary believes that acting will bring unacceptable costs. It isn’t about encouraging action, reducing readiness, or increasing burdens; those other notions describe different aims or undermine the conditions deterrence depends on.

Deterrence is about preventing an adversary from taking an action by making the consequences of that action clear and credible, so the costs outweigh the benefits. The statement that discourages an enemy from taking action captures this idea exactly. It relies on credible capability and resolve, conveyed through clear signaling and readiness, to ensure the adversary believes that acting will bring unacceptable costs. It isn’t about encouraging action, reducing readiness, or increasing burdens; those other notions describe different aims or undermine the conditions deterrence depends on.