NSC 162/2

NSC 162/2 was a policy paper of the United States National Security Council approved by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on 30 October 1953 which defined the Cold War national security policy during the Eisenhower administration. NSC162/2 was based upon NSC162, which was the final synthesis of the task force reports of Project Solarium. On 7 January 1955, NSC162/2 was superseded by NSC5501.

Massive retaliation
NSC162/2 stated that the United States needs to maintain "a strong military posture, with emphasis on the capability of inflicting massive retaliatory damage by offensive striking power", and that, in the event of hostilities, the United States "will consider nuclear weapons as available for use as other munitions."