Doctrine & strategy
First Strike
A nuclear attack intended to disarm an opponent before they can retaliate, by destroying their nuclear forces, command, and control.
A counterforce first strike targets the opponent's missile silos, submarine bases, and command bunkers. To succeed it must destroy enough of the opponent's forces that the residual second strike is acceptable to the attacker. Modern MIRVed missiles and high accuracy make first-strike scenarios more plausible than during early Cold War.
Related terms
Second Strike
The retaliatory nuclear capability remaining after absorbing an opponent's first strike — the foundation of deterrence under MAD.
MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)
A Cold War strategic doctrine in which two or more nuclear-armed adversaries each possess sufficient retaliatory capability that any nuclear attack would result in their own destruction.
Counterforce
A nuclear targeting strategy aimed at destroying an opponent's military forces, especially their nuclear weapons and command-and-control.