Deterrence needs capability, not fear of rhetoric

What happens when an opponent does not seem to care about the deterrent?

Do not let hostile rhetoric force an automatic retreat; deterrence must rest on credible, available capability and careful interpretation of signals.

A viewer raises the problem of an enemy that does not appear to care about the deterrent. An opponent may describe any deployment as escalatory if that language can make the other side withdraw. Jackie Fisher likewise used blood-curdling threats from a position of strength without necessarily intending to carry out every statement. The practical answer is to maintain real, available capability and judge signals without letting rhetoric substitute for a force assessment.