What is the primary purpose of Nuclear Deterrence?

The primary purpose of nuclear deterrence is indeed to dissuade potential adversaries from engaging in aggressive actions or developing their own weapons of mass destruction. This concept relies on the principle that the possession of nuclear weapons by a state creates a situation where the potential costs of aggression are so high that it deters adversaries from pursuing aggressive military strategies or conflicts.

Nuclear deterrence operates on the premise that the threat of retaliation in the face of an attack can prevent wars, particularly large-scale ones, which might escalate to catastrophic levels. By maintaining a credible threat of nuclear response, countries aim to secure their national interests and maintain stability in international relations.

The other options do not encapsulate the primary purpose of nuclear deterrence effectively. Enabling an arms race contradicts the very idea of deterrence, which seeks to prevent escalation. Promoting nuclear energy is unrelated to military deterrence and focuses instead on civilian uses of nuclear technology. Similarly, while international nuclear cooperation is important for addressing nuclear safety and non-proliferation, it does not pertain directly to the deterrence strategy aimed at limiting hostile actions between states.