Sentence examples for minimal deterrent from inspiring English sources

For years, there was no talk of a "minimal deterrent," proportionate response or balancing defense against other priorities.

Even if it were true that the rule adopted by the Court served some minimal deterrent function, I would not be able to join the Court.

The Chinese continue to rely on a "minimal deterrent" and the barest of abilities to retaliate with nuclear force should they come under nuclear attack.

According to American intelligence estimates, China has from 20 to 24 long-range nuclear missiles created in the 1950's and 60's as a minimal deterrent.

Unlike Russia, which has enough warheads to overwhelm a limited American missile defense, China has what arms control specialists call a minimal deterrent.

Beijing now has fewer than two dozen nuclear missiles able to reach the United States, as part of a minimal deterrent created by Mao in the 1950's and 1960's.

"We should take the example of France, which has a minimal nuclear deterrent force.

"To have a minimal nuclear deterrent, from a strategic-analysis viewpoint the community there" — in China — "views it as something very logical and something to be expected," Parks said.

Before Sept. 11, the Bush administration said repeatedly that its missile defense program was aimed at rogue states, and that China had no reason to fear that the American program would undermine the effectiveness of Beijing's minimal nuclear deterrent.

Both India and Pakistan claim that they want only a "minimal credible" nuclear deterrent — but who knows what that means?

Some Pentagon officials have argued that China has been expanding the size and sophistication of its nuclear bombs and delivery systems, while others argue that Beijing has done little more than maintain a minimal but credible deterrent against a nuclear attack.