The Thin Line of Judgment

This chapter recounts the critical decision made by Soviet officer Stanislav Petrov, who chose instinct over protocol in response to a false alarm of U.S. missile launches, potentially preventing nuclear catastrophe. It explores the fraught history of nuclear conflict, highlighting near misses and the precarious nature of global safety since the advent of nuclear weapons. The chapter also reflects on evolving U.S. nuclear policies and the unique perspectives of presidential administrations regarding nuclear crises.