Likewise the case put by David Cameron that Britain's currently deployed army, navy and air force are "absolutely essential" to deter a terrorist attack may be an insult to the most modest intelligence.
Backers of the resolution said they would push ahead despite mounting opposition and try to rally support for the declaration, which they said was essential to deter future genocide and protect America's credibility in speaking out against brutality in places like Darfur and Myanmar.
In an interview with the Guardian, Miller said the importance of the Gulf's sea lanes to the global economy made it essential to deter states as well as terrorists from attempts to mine waters through which 20% of the world's oil supply travels each day.
Such coverage is essential to deter cheats if possible and to detect them if necessary, since below five kilotonnes of explosive yield it becomes hard to tell a nuclear test from an earthquake, and below one kilotonne a test might be taken for a large chemical explosion.
Iranian officials apparently believe their drug policy is a matter of national security, and that it is essential to deter drug trafficking and related violence, as well as widespread addiction.
Still those additional 30,000 troops that Odierno deemed essential are integral to deterring an enemy that no one at this point can actually identify.
But the Home Secretary, who has overseen a fall of one-third in net migration levels, believes the moves are an essential step to deter people from overstaying their visitor visas.
Exclusive breastfeeding is essential; messages to deter the perception that colostrum is dirty and that women have insufficient milk supply need to be developed.
The government declared Sunday, usually a working day in Afghanistan, to be a public holiday to deter non-essential travel and ensure schools were closed.
The Army wanted to convey the idea that NATO needs to step up its game to fight a hybrid war, which is an essential task if NATO is going to deter Putin from pulling any fast moves.
