Daniel Davis Deep Dive John Mearsheimer: New Nuclear Arms Race, Pentagon to Resume Testing
Oct 30, 2025
John Mearsheimer, a renowned international relations theorist and Professor at the University of Chicago, dives into the complexities of nuclear strategy and geopolitics. He addresses the implications of Russia's new nuclear weapons and argues they don't alter the balance of power. Mearsheimer warns of the risks of nuclear escalation, critiques Trump's views on testing and sanctions against Russia, and discusses China's expanding arsenal. He emphasizes the importance of negotiating arms control that includes China and reflects on the future of U.S. hegemony amidst rising global competition.
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New Nuclear Toys Don't Alter MAD
- John Mearsheimer argues new Russian nuclear delivery systems change little because both sides already have assured destruction.
- He says additional exotic weapons do not make nuclear war winnable or materially shift strategic balance.
Risk Persists Despite Strategic Parity
- Mearsheimer acknowledges inadvertent or limited nuclear use remains a real danger despite strategic stalemate.
- He emphasizes we must still take great measures to avoid miscalculation and escalation.
Get Facts Right Before Ordering Tests
- Mearsheimer criticizes conflating tests of nuclear propulsion with nuclear warhead tests and urges factual precision.
- He implies policymakers should base decisions on accurate technical distinctions before ordering tests.