Yes, MAD does. But we were playing with ideas to do "better" and allow limited asymmetric nuclear strikes. The idea is to restrict your opponent's rationality by forcing them to condition on ultimatums, like this (in principle):
US: Premier, you say that you would counterattack on any attack no matter what. USSR: Da. US: Well, our response to ANY counterattack would be to completely destroy you. USSR: And likewise, so don't attack us. US: Oh, and by the way, we're going to nuke this industrial city, but nothing else, no matter what you do or say. If you counterattack you lose everything. USSR: ... US: And we mean it because we're TOTALLY INSANE, at least as regards this one decision! CRAZY enough to take directions from an ASTROLOGER! Oogitty-boogitty.
no subject
US: Premier, you say that you would counterattack on any attack no matter what.
USSR: Da.
US: Well, our response to ANY counterattack would be to completely destroy you.
USSR: And likewise, so don't attack us.
US: Oh, and by the way, we're going to nuke this industrial city, but nothing else, no matter what you do or say. If you counterattack you lose everything.
USSR: ...
US: And we mean it because we're TOTALLY INSANE, at least as regards this one decision! CRAZY enough to take directions from an ASTROLOGER! Oogitty-boogitty.