On nuclear exterminism.
To commemorate our 300th episode, we discuss how the world is closer to a nuclear conflict than at any point since the Cold War. After decades of inconsequential 'permawar' (at least inside the Western bubble), the proxy war in Ukraine between NATO and Russia is suddenly very consequential indeed.
How does our situation differ from that of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis? Why might it be more unpredictable? Does today's very different ideological configuration make war more or less likely?
Before that, we reflect on five and half years of Bungacast, how the world has changed over the period, and pick out some of our favourite episode from the past half-decade.
The main discussion begins at 23mins.
Readings:
- Who will stop Putin from going nuclear?, Philip Cunliffe, UnHerd
- How to prevent World War III, Philip Cunliffe, UnHerd
- Notes on Exterminism, the Last Stage of Civilisation, EP Thompson, New Left Review
- The War in Ukraine Could Lead to Nuclear War, Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute