Today, Explained

Six Easy Steps to Nuclear War

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Feb 19, 2018
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INSIGHT

Nuclear Launch Process

  • The US president can authorize a nuclear strike in minutes.
  • The process involves a briefcase, code verification, and contacting military command.
ANECDOTE

Lost Codes

  • President Carter reportedly lost the verification codes in his dry cleaning.
  • President Clinton misplaced them for months without informing anyone.
ANECDOTE

False Alarm

  • Zbigniew Brzezinski, Carter's National Security Advisor, was once awakened by a false alarm of incoming missiles.
  • He had minutes to decide whether to inform Carter and potentially launch a counter-attack.
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