Avatar photoPutin Gives the Mad Man Theory a Try

“Our Father, who art in heavenof the full moonand the hollow sunshield from death my parentswhose house stands in the line of fireand who won’t abandon itlike a tomb”—Lyuba Yakimchuk, “Apricots of Donbas” Vladimir Putin has announced that his nuclear forces are on “high combat” alert. He’s playing the mad man card, threatening the use …

Avatar photoDeterrence in Ukraine

Russia has invaded Ukraine, and some folks are arguing that Ukraine could’ve deterred Russia “if it had never given up nuclear weapons.” But they never “had” nuclear weapons. Jeffrey and Aaron talk through the control of nuclear weapons in Ukraine during the Cold War, and the “return” of those weapons to Russia after the fall …

Avatar photoAggressive War, Redux

Note to readers: For those who enjoy reading diplomatic history in general, and the diplomacy of nuclear arms control in particular, check out my magnum opus/door stop, Winning and Losing the Nuclear Peace: The Rise, Demise, and Revival of Arms Control. Quotes of the week: “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain …

Avatar photoNuclear Security for Who?

Jasmine Owens, Lead Organizer and Policy Coordinator at the Physicians for Social Responsibility, joins Jeffrey to discuss social justice and nuclear weapons. Jasmine and Jeffrey attack the tough issues facing culture within the nuclear security field, embedded bias, and the disproportionate impact these weapons have on minority and oppressed communities.  Support us over at Patreon.com/acwpodcast!