Title: It's "Deterrence," stupid!
Product review: "DETERRENCE is the art of producing in the mind of an opponent the fear to attack" (loosely paraphrased from "Dr. Strangelove"). If you don't get that then you are missing the whole point of this insightful exposition on the nature of strategic perception (or misperception). Put simply: bluffing only works if your enemy thinks you are NOT bluffing. And the only way to prove that you aren't bluffing is to establish a reputation for following through on your threats. If you do that consistently, then you will have created the necessary perceptual basis for effective deterrence, and you won't need to actually do more than threaten, because people will take you at your word. "He who would have peace, let him prepare for war."Anyone having a passing familiarity with the history of the UN, U.S. foreign policy between 1993 and 2001, or family dynamics at the local Wal-Mart should have a sufficient reference context for appreciating this dynamic.
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