NucleCast

Latest Episodes:

David Rehbein - Dispelling the Arms Control Myth; Not All Nukes are the Same Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

This episode features Dave Rehbein, a retired Army FA-52 nuclear officer, about the differences between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. They discuss the misconception that all nuclear weapons are the same and explore the effects and scale of different types of nuclear weapons. They also touch on the importance of understanding radiation and fallout, as well as the potential scenarios in which tactical nuclear weapons may be employed. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the W76-2 and the need for a clear definition of tactical nuclear weapons.

Takeaways:

There are significant differences between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons, including their effects, scale, and intended use.
Understanding radiation and fallout is crucial in assessing the impact of nuclear weapons.
Tactical nuclear weapons can be employed in specific scenarios to achieve strategic objectives.
The W76-2, while providing a low-yield option, has limitations in terms of delivery and responsiveness.

Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Dave was the primary technical liaison for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) at the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at Offutt AFB, NE. He served in that capacity for 15 years. Dave joined LLNL after retiring from the U.S. Army. He was a Corps of Engineers officer with specialized expertise in Nuclear Operations and Research. His areas of expertise are nuclear weapons technology, weapons effects, and deterrence theory. In his final active-duty Army assignment Dave served as the Commander of the US Army Element of US Strategic Command and as the Chief of Force Assessments at USSTRATCOM.

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Laura Goodroe Ph.D. and Ernest Rockwell Ph.D. - The Value of Military Professional Journals in Deterrence Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of NucleCast, the importance of professional writing and publishing in the military is discussed. The guests, Dr. Ernest Gunasekara-Rockwell and Dr. Laura Thurston-Goodrow, highlight the role of journals in bridging the gap between military and civilian academia. They emphasize the unique value of military professional journals in providing a platform for applied research and analysis. The Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs is highlighted as a niche publication that aims to drive the narrative and prescribe policy for decision-makers in the Indo-Pacific region. The guests also discuss the importance of professional journals in fostering critical thinking and engaging with allies and adversaries. The episode concludes with a discussion on the areas of interest for journal submissions and the future of professional journals.

Dr. Ernest Gunasekara-Rockwell is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs

Laura Thurston Goodroe, DLS is the Editor in Chief, Æther: A Journal of Strategic Airpower & Spacepower and Air & Space Operations Review

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Kim Budil, Ph.D. - Weapons Design and Modernization Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Nuclecast, Adam Lowther interviews Kim Budil, Director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). They discuss various topics related to LLNL's work in nuclear weapons design and modernization. The conversation covers the achievement of ignition, the recruitment and retention of talent, the role of the National Ignition Facility, workforce challenges, modernization and manufacturing efforts, safety and security of warheads, other programs at LLNL, integrated deterrence and multi-domain operations, knowledge transfer and training, and Budil's wishes for the lab. Budil highlights the importance of LLNL's work in national security and the exciting opportunities it offers for aspiring scientists and engineers.

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"Best of Episode" - Rebecca Grant Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

This is a rereleased episode from October 26, 2023.

Rebecca Grant is a national security analyst based in Washington, DC and president of IRIS Independent Research, a small, woman-owned business specializing in defense and aerospace research and national security consulting. She has appeared on TV as an expert on national security for Fox News, Fox Business, and CNN. She is a series regular on The Smithsonian Channel’s Air Warriors. Dr. Grant writes on China, Russia and other national security topics for Fox News Opinion. Her military books include 75 Great Airmen (with Lt. Gen. Chris Miller), The B-2 Goes to War, and Battle-Tested: Aircraft Carriers in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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"Best of Episode" - Thom Mason Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

This is a rereleased episode from September 5th, 2023.

Thomas (Thom) Mason is the President and CEO of Triad National Security, LLC (Triad) and serves as the Director of Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Most recently he was the Senior Vice President for Global Laboratory Operations at Battelle where he had responsibility for governance and strategy across the six National Laboratories that Battelle manages or co-manages.

Prior to joining Battelle, Thom worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for 19 years, including 10 years as the Laboratory Director. Under his leadership, ORNL saw significant growth in programs, new facilities, and hiring while achieving record low safety incident rates.

Before becoming Laboratory Director, he was Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) for Neutron Sciences, ALD for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), and Director of the Experimental Facilities Division.

During his time in Oak Ridge, Thom was active in the community serving as Chair of the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation as well as Innovation Valley, the Knoxville-Oak Ridge area regional economic development organization. He moved to ORNL from the University of Toronto where he was a faculty member in the Department of Physics and previously worked as a Senior Scientist at Risø National Laboratory and a Postdoc at AT&T Bell Laboratories.

For the past 30 years, he has been involved in the design and construction of scientific instrumentation and facilities and the application of nuclear, computing, and materials sciences to solve important challenges in energy and national security.

Thom has a Ph.D. in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from McMaster University and a BSc in Physics from Dalhousie University.

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"Best of" - Holiday Show Re-Release with Adam Lowther and Bob The Genie Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

This episode is a look back to December of 2022 with a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas". with Adam and Bob, the Genie. ANWA DC and NucleCast wish you a happy holiday season. "Twas the Night Before Christmas” was first published in 1823 in the Troy Sentinel newspaper with the name, “Account of a Visit From St. Nicholas."

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James Kraska, S.J.D. - The Role of International Law Supporting Deterrence Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of NucleCast, Adam Lowther interviews James Kraska, an expert in international maritime law, about the role of international law in shaping conflict. They discuss the history and impact of international law, its strengths and weaknesses, and its relevance in preventing conflict. They also examine the failures of international law in the cases of Ukraine and Taiwan, and the challenges posed by countries like Russia and China. The importance of international law in the South China Sea dispute is highlighted, as well as the role of self-help and collective action in upholding international law. The episode concludes with a discussion on the need for investment in emerging technologies and the importance of economic policy in supporting international law.

Takeaways

International law is the language of diplomacy and underpins the sovereign state system.
International law provides a common rule book and has a normative influence on states.
The weaknesses of international law include the lack of a lawmaking body, executive enforcement, and an effective international court system.
International law has failed in preventing conflicts in cases like Ukraine and Taiwan.
International law is relevant in preventing conflict and maintaining global stability.
The South China Sea dispute highlights the importance of international law.
Self-help and collective action are necessary to enforce international law.
Allies play a crucial role in upholding international law.
Investment in emerging technologies and economic policy are essential to support international law.

James Kraska Bio

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Tyler Hamilton - Perspectives from a Missile Maintainer: A Career in the Missile Fields Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

With a decade of experience in the aerospace industry, Tyler currently serves as a Future Systems Integration Engineer at the ARES Corporation, dedicated to supporting NASA's Future Systems Project Office at the Kennedy Space Center. His journey began with his role as a 2M0X2 in the United States Air Force maintaining the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) from 2014-2023.

Tyler was stationed at F.E. Warren AFB and Vandenberg AFB and worked numerous roles within the 2M0X2 community including Missile Maintenance Team Topside Technician, charged with the safe transportation and maintenance of the Minuteman III Aerospace Vehicle Equipment (AVE) for 150 Launch Facilities spread out between Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. Maintenance Operations Center Controller and Missile Maintenance Quality Assurance. Culminating in his final role within the Air Force as a Minuteman III Technical Training Instructor.

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Zachary Davis, Ph.D. - The Inflection Point in Global Politics Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Zachary S. Davis is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Security Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and a Research Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he teaches courses on counterproliferation. He has broad experience in intelligence and national security policy and has held senior positions in the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government. His regional focus is South Asia.

Davis began his career at the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress and has served with the State Department, Congressional committees, and the National Security Council. Davis was group leader for proliferation networks in LLNL’s Z Program and in 2007 he was Senior Advisor at the National Counter Proliferation Center, in the office of the Director of National Intelligence. He is the author of numerous government studies and reports on technical and regional proliferation issues. He leads a project on the national security implications of advanced technologies, focusing on special operations forces.

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Alan Carr - The History of Los Alamos National Laboratory Part 2 Dec 07, 2023

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Alan B. Carr currently serves as a Program Manager and the Senior Historian for Los Alamos National Laboratory. During his tenure as a Laboratory historian, which began in 2003, Alan has produced several publications and lectures pertaining to the Manhattan Project, nuclear testing history, and the historical evolution of LANL. He has lectured for numerous professional organizations and has been featured as a guest on many local, national, and international radio and television programs. Before coming to Los Alamos, Carr completed his graduate studies at Texas Tech University.

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