Nukes of Hazard

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Bonus Episode: Ankit Panda on India's Anti-Satellite Test Apr 18, 2019

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At the end of March, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India had successfully shot down one of its own satellites with an anti-satellite weapon. We spoke with Ankit Panda to break down the test and what it means for broader security issues in South Asia. Music: www.bensound.com

Star Wars: The Phantom Interceptor Apr 03, 2019

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At the launch of his Administration's Missile Defense Review, President Trump declared that his goal is to intercept enemy missiles "anywhere, anytime, anyplace." In the nuclear world, that sounded a lot like President Reagan's nearly 40-year-old missile defense plan, "Star Wars." We explain President Trump's likely unrealistic and potentially dangerous vision with our Senior Science Fellow Philip Coyle and the Union of Concerned Scientists' Dr. Laura Grego. Music: www.bensound.com Artist Rendition of "Star Wars": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMfmVzHZvkc&t= Union of Concerned Scientists Report on GMD: https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/07/Shielded-from-Oversight-full-report.pdf

Trumping Reagan's Nuclear Legacy Dec 20, 2018

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President Trump has announced that the United States will withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a landmark agreement negotiated by President Ronald Reagan in 1987. This episode dives into the consequences of the decision and what it could mean for broader nuclear arms control moving forward. We're joined by two premier experts: Lynn Rusten of the Nuclear Threat Initiative and Olya Oliker of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Music: www.bensound.com

50 Years Later Aug 10, 2018

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In 1963, President John F. Kennedy feared that 25 countries could possess nuclear weapons by the 1970's. Today, nine countries have them. Many experts attribute this to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), an agreement that turns 50 this year. We explore the Treaty and its future with Ambassador Susan Burk and Ambassador Laura Kennedy. Music: www.bensound.com

The Art of Violating the Deal May 11, 2018

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President Trump announced he would withdraw from and openly violate U.S. commitments under the Iran Deal. We speak with nuclear expert Joe Cirincione and Iran expert Barbara Slavin about the impacts of this catastrophic decision. Music: www.bensound.com

Trump's New Nukes Feb 02, 2018

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The Trump Administration has just released its Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), a document that calls for new nuclear capabilities and shatters a decades-old bipartisan consensus that reduced the role of nuclear weapons in American national security strategy. We dive into the NPR with nuclear experts Dr. Adam Mount, Anthony Wier, and Alexandra Bell. Music: www.bensound.com

The Nuclear Triad Dec 21, 2017

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"The Nuclear Triad" defines the three strategic delivery systems in the U.S. nuclear arsenal: land-based missiles, submarine-based missiles, and weapons delivered via heavy bombers. As the United States is set to spend over $1 trillion sustaining and rebuilding this arsenal, we take a look into the triad's history and future with Dr. Alex Wellerstein, a premier nuclear historian. Music: www.bensound.com

Decertifying Without Cause Oct 16, 2017

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Citing no substantive evidence, President Trump announced that he would not certify the Iran nuclear agreement, setting up a 60-day window for Congress to potentially re-impose nuclear-related sanctions against Iran. This episode dives into why Congress should do what it does best -- nothing -- with Tess Bridgeman, a former Deputy Legal Adviser to the National Security Council (NSC). Music: www.bensound.com

Cooperative Threat Reduction or: How I Stopped Worrying and Got Rid of the Bomb Sep 15, 2017

Show notes

When the Cold War ended, four separate countries suddenly inherited the former Soviet nuclear arsenal. Destroying and removing those weapons was a herculean effort, and it couldn't have been done without the bipartisan leadership of two U.S. Senators. We tell the story with Senators Nunn and Lugar, as well as former Assistant Secretary of Defense Andrew Weber. Music: www.bensound.com

The Once and Future Framework Aug 11, 2017

Show notes

In 1994, the United States negotiated an agreement with North Korea that curbed its nuclear ambitions for eight years. The collapse of the agreement offers lessons for diplomatic efforts today. Amidst heated rhetoric between President Trump and North Korean leadership, this episode dives into the agreement with North Korea experts Jon Wolfsthal, Joel Wit, and Ambassador Robert Gallucci. Music: www.bensound.com

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