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The Rachman Review

The nuclear and biological weapons threat

Sep 7, 2023
Gideon Rachman discusses nuclear war, deadly pandemic, and AI risks with Jason Matheny, president of the Rand Corporation and former director for technology policy on President Biden’s National Security Council. They explore China's belief in controlling nuclear escalation, the importance of direct communication, and the urgent need for biodefenses and surveillance systems. The speakers emphasize rethinking national security strategies to address emerging technologies like AI and synthetic biology.
27:57

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The disruption of Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain would have severe consequences for the global economy, highlighting the need for strengthening the entire semiconductor industry and developing a collective supply chain security strategy with allies.
  • Technological advancements in AI and synthetic biology pose significant national security risks, emphasizing the importance of strengthening biodefenses, surveillance, and diagnostics, as well as addressing the security risks associated with commercial and research-based synthetic biology.

Deep dives

Taiwan's Dominance in Semiconductors and Supply Chain Risks

Taiwan plays a crucial role in the global semiconductor industry, with about half of all semiconductors and more than 90% of the most advanced chips being manufactured there. The disruption of Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain would have severe consequences for the global economy. Potential disruptions include a blockade by China or an invasion of Taiwan. China's preparations for these scenarios, along with its strong desire to reunify Taiwan, make these risks significant. To mitigate these risks, the United States is encouraging the building of semiconductor plants domestically, but this alone cannot fully protect against economic fallout. Strengthening the entire semiconductor industry and developing a collective supply chain security strategy with allies are also crucial.

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