

Are We Closer Than Ever To Nuclear War?
11 snips Jun 27, 2025
Annie Jacobsen, an acclaimed investigative journalist and author focusing on national security and nuclear issues, discusses alarming scenarios that could lead to nuclear conflict. She highlights the chilling possibility of a nuclear winter just 72 minutes after a launch. The conversation addresses the concentration of power in nuclear decisions and critiques Hollywood's portrayal of nuclear crises. Jacobsen emphasizes the urgent need for public engagement on nuclear risks and the importance of international communication to avert catastrophe.
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72 Minutes to Nuclear Winter
- It can take only 72 minutes from a nuclear launch to nuclear winter and global collapse.
- This fast timeline underscores the terrifying immediacy of nuclear war risks today.
Launch Officers Follow Orders
- Launch officers almost never defy direct nuclear launch orders.
- The idea that mid-level military personnel can stop a nuclear strike is Hollywood fiction.
The Nuclear Football Explained
- The nuclear football is a briefcase carried 24/7 by a military aide right next to the president.
- It contains the "Black Book," emergency plans detailing nuclear war and targets.