The Gray Area with Sean Illing The world after nuclear war
4 snips
Jun 17, 2024 
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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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.
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.
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.
