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Highlights: #192 – Annie Jacobsen on what would happen if North Korea launched a nuclear weapon at the US
Jul 25, 2024
Annie Jacobsen, national security expert, discusses the chaos post a North Korean nuclear attack on the US, exploring decision-making complexities and the inevitability of escalation. Delving into Russian vs American missile warning systems, secretive war plans, and the catastrophic effects of a super EMP strike.
23:33
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Quick takeaways
- Immediate response in a nuclear attack is critical, but counterstrike options may lack complete understanding.
- Russian misperception due to flawed early warning systems poses risk of escalating tensions with the US.
Deep dives
Chaos in Nuclear Response Process
In the event of an incoming nuclear attack, a complex series of actions unfold within a matter of minutes. From confirming information to determining missile trajectories, a rapid response is crucial. The President's emergency satchel, known as the Black Book, contains critical documents and the 'biscuit' for confirming the President's identity. However, concerns arise that the counterstrike options within the Black Book may be too detached and could lead to decisions made without full comprehension.
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