balance of terror

English

Etymology

Probably coined by Lester Pearson in June 1955 at the 10th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter: “The balance of terror has succeeded the balance of power.”

Noun

balance of terror

1. (historical) The tenuous peace that existed during the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Translations

The tenuous peace that existed during the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

• Finnish: kauhun tasapaino (fi)
• French: équilibre de la terreur (fr) m
• Polish: równowaga strachu f
• Swedish: terrorbalans (sv) c

See also

• mutual assured destruction
• nuclear deterrence
• if you want peace, prepare for war