Missile Message to a Heir?

Despite the elaborate logic behind strategic signaling, missiles do not guarantee success.

Signals sometimes fail for several reasons:

Different interpretations – Rivals may misunderstand the intended message.

Domestic politics – Leaders might respond aggressively to avoid appearing weak.

Information gaps – Intelligence about missile capabilities may be incomplete.

Personal ego – Leaders may refuse to acknowledge threats.

When these factors combine, signals can backfire.

Instead of deterring conflict, they may contribute to it.