In the theory of nuclear warfare, a decapitation strike is a first strike attack that aims to remove the command and control mechanisms of an opponent, in the hope that it will severely degrade or destroy its capacity for nuclear retaliation. Strategies against decapitation strikes include: * Distributed command and control structures. * Dispersal of political and military leadership in times of tension. * Delegation of launch capability to local commanders in the event of a decapitation strike. * Distributed and diverse launch mechanisms.