Yes- In a way. Nuclear threat has been a reason as to why there haven't been many [i]major[/i] conflicts since the end of WWII between the more powerful countries- MAD means that more powerful nations are (in a way) scared to use them. Anyway, this is my opinion on the matter, before someone starts coming in demanding sauce. Oh, and also the theories about how they could be used to deflect asteroids and meteorites and other large space debris that could wipe out the planet.