The Game Theory of Nuclear Standoffs

The roots of rising nuclear tensions lie in game theory, specifically the game theory of nuclear standoffs. While game theory is a fundamental concept in economics, it may not accurately reflect human behavior. The mathematician John von Neumann, who shaped U.S. nuclear policy and economic theory, introduced the mathematical description of zero-sum games, where one player's win leads to the other's loss. This raises a crucial question: When can mathematical models like game theory guide us, and when can they potentially push us to the edge of destruction?