1. In military strategy, a target or asset of significant value to an adversary, especially civilian or economic infrastructure targeted in nuclear deterrence doctrine.
Usage: military/defense policy; often used in Cold War and nuclear strategy contexts

Examples

• Military strategists debated whether countervalue targets should be included in nuclear deterrence plans.
• The doctrine distinguished between counterforce strikes on military installations and countervalue attacks on cities.
• During the Cold War, countervalue strategy focused on the threat to civilian populations as a deterrent.
• Countervalue targeting raised serious ethical and legal questions in international relations.
• The shift away from countervalue doctrine reflected changing attitudes toward nuclear weapons policy.