What does the term 'deterrence' refer to in international affairs?

The term 'deterrence' in international affairs refers specifically to the strategy of preventing aggression through the threat of retaliation. This concept is grounded in the idea that potential aggressors will be dissuaded from taking hostile actions if they believe that the consequences of such actions will outweigh any potential benefits. Deterrence is commonly associated with military strategies—particularly during the Cold War—when nuclear powers maintained large arsenals and made it clear that any nuclear attack would result in overwhelming retaliation, thereby stabilizing the balance of power through mutual assured destruction.

The key aspect of deterrence is the psychological dimension; it relies on the perception of threats and the credible capability to follow through with those threats if necessary. This makes it distinct from other diplomatic processes that focus on negotiation, peace treaties, or economic cooperation, which are more about engagement rather than the strategic prevention of conflict. Thus, option B accurately captures the essence of deterrence in international affairs.