Nukes of Hazard

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...

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 Initiati...

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

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

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" 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.bensou...

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.be...

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

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...

Contrary to popular belief, the first nuclear explosion in human history took place not in Japan, but in New Mexico. This episode dives into that test and explains why Congress is threatening progress made on nuclear arms control. Music: www.bensound.com

It's been two years since the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action -- commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal -- was signed. We speak to Ambassador Wendy Sherman, the lead U.S. negotiator of the agreement, and Richard Nephew, the lead American sanctions expert during the negotiations. Ambassador Sherman and Mr. Nephew discuss the merits of the agreement and the consequences of a U.S. withdrawal from...

In 1961, the Soviet Union tested the largest nuclear weapon in history. At about 3,800 times more powerful than the bombs used against Japan, the effects were unimaginable. This episode dives into this and other harrowing stories of nuclear testing. We also interview Dr. Michael Mills, a scientific expert on the catastrophic consequences of a nuclear war -- known as nuclear winter. Music: www.bens...

In 1983, a movie was released about nuclear war that shocked 100 million Americans. This episode dives into the movie and how it impacted President Reagan to change his views on nuclear weapons policy. Washington Post Reporter Dan Zak is also interviewed about his book "Almighty," which profiles nuclear activists and covers the history of U.S. nuclear weapons. Music: www.bensound.com

It was one of the tensest moments in American history. The discovery of Soviet nuclear missile infrastructure in Cuba set off a chain of events that could have exploded into nuclear war at any moment. This episode dives into the details and also covers the latest national missile defense test with Center expert Philip Coyle. Music: www.bensound.com

One single person has the sole authority to launch U.S. nuclear weapons: The President of the United States. We spoke with Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) about his bill that would limit presidential nuclear authority. Our analysts also discuss the latest North Korean ballistic missile test that could have struck U.S. territory. Music: www.bensound.com

During the Korean War, General Douglas MacArthur requested more than 30 nuclear weapons. This episode dives into the story and takes you inside modern day North Korea with MIT expert Dr. Jim Walsh. Music: http://www.bensound.com

In 1961, a nuclear bomb almost detonated over North Carolina. This episode explains how a nuclear catastrophe was barely avoided, and brings you up to date on two key nuclear news stories in North Korea and Iran. Music: http://www.bensound.com