Think about how deterrence was used by President John F. Kennedy. Explain deterrence and compare two modern day countries with nuclear power and explain a situation where deterrence can be utilized against both countries to prevent war.
That's your assignment.
What are YOUR QUESTIONS about your assignment?
I don't know what deterrence is.. And how could I explain it?
http://www.answers.com/deterrence
Measures taken by a state or an alliance of states to prevent hostile action by another state.
Sanctions -- another way in which nations are currently trying to convince other countries not to become hostile.
http://www.answers.com/topic/sanctions-1
Sometimes they work; sometimes they don't.
The biggest deterrent during the Cold War was the fear that if one side launched a nuclear weapon, then the other side would launch one right back. No country wanted to be totally devastated in a nuclear war.
If you need to know about the Kennedy administration's foreign policy, this is a good, brief overview:
http://www.countriesquest.com/north_america/usa/history/foreign_policy_vietnam_war_and_watergate/kennedy_administration_and_the_cold_war.htm