Welcome to NucleCast, the official podcast of the ANWA Deterrence Center. NucleCast is an engaging, educational podcast featuring a series of discussions and interviews with experts in nuclear policy, technology, and deterrence. The show is hosted by Dr. Adam Lowther, Strategic Advisor to the ANWA Deterrence Center and an expert on nuclear deterrence.
In this episode of NucleCast, Dr. Kyle Balzer discusses three topics: the Submarine Launch Cruise Missile (SLCM-N), the origins of tailored deterrence, and the concept of hedging the hedge. SLCM-N is seen as a missing piece in the US nuclear posture, providing regional presence, promptness to respond, widespread deployment, and complicating adversary defense planning. Tailored deterrence, which dates back to the Cold War, involves understanding the values and priorities of adversaries to deter them effectively. Hedging, or maintaining extra warheads, is crucial in a complex and unpredictable threat environment. The conversation emphasizes the need for intelligence on adversary thinking, bipartisan support for SLCM-N, and continued debate and implementation of nuclear strategies. Kyle Balzer is a Jeane Kirkpatrick Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he specializes in US nuclear strategy and policy. He is currently working on a book project, The Revivalist: James R. Schlesinger and the Rebirth of Cold War U.S. Nuclear Strategy. It examines the origins of diagnostic net assessment and competitive nuclear strategies. His work has been published in Breaking Defense, National Review Online, The Hill, The National Interest, and War on the Rocks. Kyle holds a Ph.D. in US diplomatic history from Ohio University, where he studied the relationship between American grand strategy and nuclear deterrence policy.
Dr. Amit Gupta discusses the Indian and Pakistani nuclear weapons programs and their relations with China. The Indian nuclear program was driven by the desire for autonomy and the need to showcase scientific ability. The Pakistanis pursued nuclear weapons as a deterrent against India's conventional advantage. Both countries have developed their nuclear capabilities over the years, with India having a 'no first use' policy and Pakistan adopting a more ambiguous stance. The Indian perspective on China is shaped by a history of border disputes and a desire to counter China's growing military capabilities. India seeks to build an economic partnership with the United States, revamp its defense production, and engage in dialogue with China. Amit Gupta is a Senior Advisor to the Forum of Federations, Ottawa, Canada. He has previously on the faculty of the USAF Air War College. He is the author, co-author or editor of eight books including, Building an Arsenal: The Evolution of Regional Power Force Structures (Praeger), Global Security Watch—India (Praeger), Strategic Stability in Asia, (Ashgate), and Air Forces: Next Generation (Howgate). In the realm of popular culture, he has written in academic journals and magazines on Doctor Who, Diego Maradona, The Defenders, Star Trek, international cricket, and the globalization of Sports. Socials: Follow on Twitter at @NucleCast Follow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcast Subscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/ Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278 Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org
In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther interviews Peter Huessy, a senior fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, about Annie Jacobsen's book 'Nuclear War, A Scenario.' They discuss the flaws in Jacobsen's arguments and mischaracterizations of American nuclear policy. Huessy points out that Jacobsen's scenario is unrealistic and rigged to lead to all-out nuclear war. He also refutes her claims about Ronald Reagan's views on nuclear weapons. The conversation highlights the importance of deterrence in maintaining peace and the dangers of advocating for nuclear disarmament. Mr. Huessy has been President of Geostrategic Analysis, a defense consulting firm he founded, since 1981. This organization is dedicated to analysis of the strategic nuclear posture of the United States and its nuclear-armed adversaries, particularly in support of ICBMs and US nuclear modernization. He was with the Hudson Institute as a Senior Fellow from December 2021-2023 while previously from 2011 was both a Consultant and Director of Strategic Deterrent Studies at the Air Force Association/Mitchell Institute. In August 2023, he joined the National Institute for Deterrence Studies as a Senior Fellow.
In this episode of NucleCast, Major General (Retired) Chris Adams shares his experiences flying the B-36 and B-52 aircraft and serving in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Cold War. General Adams discusses the unique features of the B-36, including its three-pilot configuration and powerful engines. He also highlights the transition to flying the B-52, which he describes as a significant upgrade. General Adams then talks about his experience as a Minuteman missile crew commander and the disciplined culture of SAC. He emphasizes the importance of a strong military deterrent force, a stable society, and the preservation of the United States. Chris Adams is a retired U.S. Air Force Major General, former Chief of Staff, Strategic Air Command, former Associate Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory, industry executive, and author. He has traveled the world extensively and in particular, Russia and the former Soviet States, making some 23 extended visits there alone. His military honors include The Distinguished Service Medal, The Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Two Legions of Merit, Two Air Medals for service in combat and numerous others. He was also awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution National Medal of Honor for 2011. He has been honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of Tarleton State University and Texas A&M University - Commerce, and has been listed in Who’s Who In America each year since 1982. In developing his books, Adams draws on his extraordinary knowledge and experience in strategic air operations, intelligence activities and the culture of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Each work is historically based and alludes to actual events that occurred in the former Soviet Union and the United States.
In this episode, Adam Lowther interviews Joseph Bosco, a former senior Department of Defense official, who discusses the complex challenges and decisions the US faces in a world with multiple adversaries, including Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Bosco emphasizes the need for strong leadership and a coordinated strategy to confront these threats. They also explore the continuous nature of war and the importance of recognizing the coordinated nature of the threats. The conversation delves into the conundrum of Taiwan and the need for strategic ambiguity in US policy. Bosco shares his wishes for an official US policy to defend Taiwan and for providing Ukraine with the weapons it needs to defend itself. Joseph A. Bosco, a national security consultant and journalist who contributes to The Hill and Newswav, retired from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) in 2010. During his seven-year tenure, he held various portfolios, including strategic communications, Muslim outreach, East Asia security affairs, Iraq and Afghanistan coalition affairs, and disaster relief and humanitarian affairs. His work spanned diverse assignments, and he played a significant role in activities related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Regional Forum, particularly focusing on the role of regional militaries in disaster relief and humanitarian efforts. Mr. Bosco has extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific region. Before his service at OSD, Joseph Bosco taught graduate seminars on China-Taiwan-U.S. relations in the Asian Studies Program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He also organized conferences on U.S.-China-Taiwan issues. Additionally, he served as a senior fellow in the Asia-Pacific Program at the Atlantic Council of the United States. His earlier career included private practice in international law and government contracts, where he was listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s Directory of Preeminent Lawyers.