Questions: What does a state that has a deterrence strategy depend on? a. The unquestionable ability to inflict intolerable damage on an opponent b. The ability to have an air force c. The ability to have diplomatic resolve d. The ability to use proxies to harm an adversary from afar

The answer is A: the unquestionable ability to inflict intolerable damage on an opponent.

Explanation for each option:

a. The unquestionable ability to inflict intolerable damage on an opponent: This is the core principle of a deterrence strategy. Deterrence relies on the threat of significant retaliation to prevent an adversary from taking an undesirable action. The idea is that the potential costs imposed by the retaliatory action would be so severe that the adversary would be dissuaded from initiating conflict or aggression in the first place. This concept is often associated with nuclear deterrence during the Cold War, where the threat of mutual assured destruction (MAD) prevented both the United States and the Soviet Union from engaging in direct conflict.

b. The ability to have an air force: While having an air force can be a component of a state's military capabilities, it is not the defining feature of a deterrence strategy. Deterrence is more about the overall ability to inflict intolerable damage, which can include various military assets, not just an air force.

c. The ability to have diplomatic resolve: Diplomatic resolve is important for a state's overall strategy and international relations, but it is not the primary focus of a deterrence strategy. Deterrence specifically hinges on the credible threat of severe retaliation, rather than diplomatic efforts.

d. The ability to use proxies to harm an adversary from afar: Using proxies can be a tactic within a broader strategy, but it does not encapsulate the essence of deterrence. Deterrence is about the direct and credible threat of significant retaliation, not indirect actions through proxies.

In summary, a state that has a deterrence strategy depends on its ability to inflict intolerable damage on an opponent, making option A the correct answer.