What is the defining characteristic of 'countervalue targeting' in nuclear doctrine?

The defining characteristic of 'countervalue targeting' in nuclear doctrine is its focus on targeting an adversary's cities, industrial centers, and population bases, rather than military assets. The goal is to inflict unacceptable damage on the adversary's society and economy, thereby deterring them from launching a nuclear attack in the first place or coercing them into ending a conflict. Countervalue targeting aims to create a devastating level of destruction that would render any potential gains from a nuclear attack meaningless. This strategy is often associated with the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), where both sides possess the capability to destroy the other's society, creating a strong disincentive to initiate a nuclear exchange. For example, a countervalue targeting strategy might involve aiming nuclear missiles at major urban areas and industrial complexes, with the intention of destroying the adversary's economic and social infrastructure. The threat of such widespread destruction is meant to deter the adversary from launching a nuclear attack or escalating a conventional conflict to the nuclear level. Countervalue targeting differs from 'counterforce targeting,' which focuses on destroying the adversary's military forces and weapons systems. While counterforce targeting aims to reduce the adversary's military capabilities, countervalue targeting seeks to inflict societal devastation.