Economist Podcasts A farewell to arms control? Ukraine and nuclear weapons
Jun 6, 2022
Shashank Joshi, Defense editor for The Economist, discusses the shifting landscape of nuclear weapons in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He highlights how the conflict challenges the longstanding taboo against nuclear weapon use, raising global tensions and prompting nations to reassess their nuclear strategies. Joshi also examines the implications for countries like North Korea and China, and the potential impact on nonproliferation efforts. This insightful conversation reveals the precarious balance of global security amidst emerging threats.
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Nuclear Taboo Erosion
- The world has refrained from using nuclear weapons since 1945, not just due to deterrence, but also a moral stigma.
- This "nuclear taboo" is eroding, with increasingly public nuclear threats.
Nixon's Nuclear Alert
- Richard Nixon used nuclear alerts as a private signal during the Vietnam War, showcasing Cold War nuclear restraint.
- Today, nuclear threats are made very publicly, eroding the taboo further.
Public Nuclear Threats
- Russian state television features frequent, hyperbolic nuclear threats, and Putin's threats have increased since 2014.
- Other leaders like Donald Trump and Narendra Modi have also made public nuclear threats, contributing to the erosion of the taboo.