Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps "The Psychology of World War III" with Dr Nicholas Wright
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Dec 4, 2025 Dr. Nicholas Wright, a neuroscientist advising the Pentagon, discusses the intricate psychology that underpins warfare. He explains why psychological factors can outmaneuver military hardware, citing France's collapse in WWII as an example. The conversation explores how adaptability and creativity in military strategy are vital against modern threats like Russia and China. Wright warns that technology alone won't guarantee safe outcomes in war, highlighting the need for mental preparedness and a deep understanding of adversaries' intentions.
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Leader Psychology Determines War Risk
- The single most consequential factor in preventing major war is the psychology of key leaders, like Xi Jinping's brain.
- Dr. Nicholas Wright argues prediction, deterrence and mental games drive whether states choose large-scale conflict.
Loss Of Western Military Dominance
- The recent rise in wars follows a loss of Western overwhelming military superiority.
- Wright says more actors can now seize objectives by force because the West no longer deters them as effectively.
Near Kidnapping In Tahrir Square
- Josh Szeps recounts traveling to Egypt before and during the Arab Spring and nearly being kidnapped by Islamists.
- He was rescued by a student and thereafter faced repeated secondary security screenings entering the U.S.
