nuclear codes
Presidential launch keys
Nuclear codes are the secret authentication sequences that authorize the launch of nuclear weapons.
In the United States, the codes travel with the president in a briefcase called the "football," enabling verification of launch orders.
The phrase often appears in discussions of presidential fitness or moments of crisis: Do we really want him having access to the nuclear codes?
Set into motion
- authorizationFormal permission granted
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
- controlAuthority to direct
officer · authentication · football · biscuit · briefcase · president · commander-in-chief · delegation
Reciprocal nuclear annihilation threat
- MADMutual annihilation doctrine
- brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- balance of terrorStability through reciprocal threat
non-proliferation · disarmament · containment · tripwire · credibility · retaliation · counterstrike · dead hand
Restricted from disclosure
- encryptionConverting data into code
- cipherHidden writing system
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
- vaultSecure storage chamber
confidential · cryptic · covert · clearance · concealment · secure · discretion · clandestine
launch
Set into motion
- authorizationFormal permission granted
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
control · officer · authentication · football · biscuit · briefcase · president · commander-in-chief · delegation · succession
mutually assured destruction
Reciprocal nuclear annihilation threat
- MADMutual annihilation doctrine
- brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
balance of terror · non-proliferation · disarmament · containment · tripwire · credibility · retaliation · counterstrike · dead hand · failsafe
classified
Restricted from disclosure
- encryptionConverting data into code
- cipherHidden writing system
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
vault · confidential · cryptic · covert · clearance · concealment · secure · discretion · clandestine · compartmentalized
missiles
Self-propelled guided weapons
- ICBMOcean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- warheadMunition's explosive section
- siloAgricultural storage tower
submarine · triad · Trident · strategic · tactical · bunker · payload · megaton · stockpile · bomber
- nuclear waratomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, ICBM, mushroom cloud, first strike
- classified inteltop secret, classified, classified documents, state secrets, military secrets
- presidential powersexecutive order, executive power, executive orders, vetoes, pardon
- building codesIRC, building permits, building inspections, zoning regulations, egress
- Mission: ImpossibleEthan Hunt, Tom Cruise, IMF, latex masks, Fallout
- secretssecrecy, secret, trade secret, secrets, confidential
nuclear codespeace treaty
Formal end to hostilities
nuclear disarmament · olive branch · ceasefire agreement · white flag · diplomatic solution
nuclear, codes, code, coded, coding, coder, encode, decode, encoder