Annie Jacobsen, a journalist and author known for her in-depth work on nuclear warfare, discusses the shocking realities of potential nuclear conflict. She explores the devastating aftermath of a missile launch, the chilling concept of nuclear winter, and how current geopolitical tensions heighten risks. Jacobsen also examines the complexities of nuclear decision-making, highlighting the dangers of human error and political rhetoric. Her insights challenge the illusion of winnability in nuclear war and emphasize urgent global disarmament.
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insights INSIGHT
Nuclear Triad Explained
The US nuclear triad consists of land-launched ICBMs, nuclear bombers, and submarines with SLBMs.
These provide the president with options during a counterattack.
insights INSIGHT
Current Nuclear Arsenals
The US and Russia each have around 5,000 nuclear warheads, with about 1,770 and 1,674 ready to launch, respectively.
This is enough to cause global devastation.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Modern Nuke Power
Modern thermonuclear weapons are vastly more powerful than those used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Richard Garwin, a nuclear weapons engineer, described a 10.4 megaton bomb as 1,000 Hiroshima bombs.
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In 'Nuclear War: A Scenario', Annie Jacobsen presents a meticulously researched and chilling scenario of a nuclear war. The book begins with a surprise nuclear attack by North Korea on the United States, triggering a cascade of events that involve multiple nations and lead to catastrophic consequences. Jacobsen draws on exclusive interviews with military and civilian experts, as well as recently declassified government reports, to outline the minute-by-minute unfolding of a nuclear conflict. The book highlights the dangers of the 'Launch on Warning' policy, the inadequacy of current nuclear defenses, and the devastating impact on global civilization, including the immediate destruction, long-term environmental damage, and the eventual collapse of societal structures. Jacobsen's work serves as a call to action for disarmament and a stark reminder of the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons.
A mile of pure fire. A flash that melts everything — titanium, steel, lead, people. A blast that mows down every structure in its path, 3 miles out in every direction. Journalist Annie Jacobsen spent years interviewing scientists, high-ranking military officials, politicians, and other experts to find out how a nuclear attack would be triggered, the devastation it would cause, the ruptures it would create in the social fabric, and how likely it is to happen today. She wrote about all of this in her new book Nuclear War: A Scenario. Jacobsen spends the hour clearly laying out the horrifying yet captivating specifics for Sean, and the prospects for avoiding catastrophe.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
