zero-optionhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zero-option_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezero option, n.
Revised 2018

zero optionnoun

  1. 1976–
    A disarmament proposal for the total removal of certain types of weapons on both sides of a conflict or confrontation; spec. one put forward in the early 1980s for both the Soviet Union and the United States to remove all their medium-range nuclear missiles from Europe.
    1. 1976
      The Soviets surprised the Americans by agreeing to the general idea of an NCA limitation even before the Zero option was presented.
      International Arms Control (Stanford Arms Control Group) ix. 184
    2. 1981
      By reviving controversy about a moratorium and the ‘zero option’, Brandt's trip appears to have realized some of the fears of those in the West German government and opposition party.
      Washington Post 5 July a20/1
    3. 2015
      An INF Treaty eliminated a class of nuclear missiles in Europe—the so-called zero option that had been Reagan's opening gambit.
      Washington Post (Nexis) 25 August a13

Originally published as part of the entry for zero, n. & adj.

zero, n. & adj. was revised in June 2018.