This chapter examines the escalating nuclear threats stemming from geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Russia, focusing on the chilling possibility of tactical nuclear weapon usage. It discusses the psychological and historical foundations of deterrence strategies while proposing methods to alleviate nuclear conflict risks. By integrating concepts from evolutionary biology and game theory, it provides insights into human decision-making in crisis scenarios and the implications for international relations through the lens of mutual assured destruction.
As if 2024 couldn't get any weirder, tensions in the Middle East have escalated with the United States sending one of our nuclear submarines to the Mediterranean as a deterrent signal to Iran that they better think twice about attacking Israel. That sub, the Ohio-class USS Georgia, carries non-nuclear cruise missiles.
But 14 of our 18 Ohio-class submarines have nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles—each sub has in its belly the nuclear equivalent of all the bombs dropped in World War II. Multiply that by 14 and let your imagination be properly staggered.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have pushed into Russian territory and Putin is outraged at the invasion. How far can Ukraine go before Putin uses his battlefield tactical nukes in response?
In this solo episode, Michael Shermer discusses the threat of nuclear annihilation and explores the evolutionary origins of our moral emotions and logic of deterrence based on game theory.
Focus of the analysis: the need to reduce nuclear stockpiles and shifting the taboo from using to owning nuclear weapons.