positive security assurance

[ poz-i-tiv si-kyoor-i-tee uh-shoor-uhns, uh-shur-uhns ]

noun

1. assurance given by a nuclear weapon state that it will defend a non-nuclear weapon state that is the victim of nuclear attack by another nation: : PSA Compare negative security assurance ( def ).

   A number of states expressed their views that positive security assurance is nothing more than what is already contained in the U.N. Charter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of positive security assurance¹

First recorded in 1980–85