[Verse 1]
Two superpowers facing off across the sea
Each with missiles ready, nuclear trinity
If you strike me first, I'll strike you back
Mutual destruction keeps us on the right track
Nobody wins when cities turn to dust
So paradox of peace is built on mutual distrust
[Chorus]
MAD keeps the peace when fear runs deep
First strike advantage isn't yours to keep
Second strike promise, retaliation sure
Nuclear umbrella, allies feel secure
Proliferation's got a double face
More fingers on the trigger, blessing or disgrace
[Verse 2]
First strike capability means you hit them hard
Wipe out their weapons before they can respond
But second strike's the real deterrent power
Submarines hiding, waiting for their hour
Even if you're damaged, even if you're hit
You can still strike back, that's the heart of it
[Chorus]
MAD keeps the peace when fear runs deep
First strike advantage isn't yours to keep
Second strike promise, retaliation sure
Nuclear umbrella, allies feel secure
Proliferation's got a double face
More fingers on the trigger, blessing or disgrace
[Bridge]
Under my umbrella, allies stay protected
Extended deterrence, enemies rejected
But when new players join the nuclear game
Some say it's balance, others cry it's shame
More actors mean more stability zones
Or more chances for accidents, nobody knows
[Verse 3]
Regional rivals getting nuclear arms
Could create new balance, or sound new alarms
Each new nuclear state might deter attack
But accidents and miscalculations can't be taken back
The logic's complicated, not black or white
Proliferation's both the darkness and the light
[Chorus]
MAD keeps the peace when fear runs deep
First strike advantage isn't yours to keep
Second strike promise, retaliation sure
Nuclear umbrella, allies feel secure
Proliferation's got a double face
More fingers on the trigger, blessing or disgrace
[Outro]
In the realist's world, power keeps the peace
Nuclear weapons make the wars decrease
But every finger on a trigger's a risk we take
For stability's and security's sake