Why was the concept of “mutually assured destruction” important during the cold war?

'MAD' is what prevented the cold war from being a hot destructive war. Because each side in the war was afraid that attacking their enemy would result in their enemy striking back with equal force, it prevented an actual destructive war from breaking out. Fear was the primary driver here.

because the vietnam war was fought in an especially brutal and untraditional way

the answer should be founding brothers. i hope i you!