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, host Adam Lowther interviews Peter Hussey, a senior fellow at the National Institute for Deterrent Studies, about Annie Jacobson's book 'Nuclear War, A Scenario.' They discuss the flaws in Jacobson's arguments and mischaracterizations of American nuclear policy. Hussey points out that Jacobson'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 Deterrent 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.
In this episode, Adam and Dr. Kevin Cooney discuss the morality of nuclear weapons. They explore the concept of just war theory and its application to nuclear weapons, as well as the role of international law in regulating conflict. They delve into the historical context of the use of nuclear weapons in World War II and the ethical considerations surrounding their use. They also examine the current state of nuclear weapons and the arguments for disarmament. The conversation highlights the importance of dialogue and understanding in addressing the complex moral questions surrounding nuclear weapons. Dr. Cooney is a dedicated professional with an extensive background in security, economics, and organizational development. He is currently serving as the second President of Wilberforce International Institute, a non-profit, working with international students to bring redemptive change and human flourishing to their home cultures. Dr. Cooney is a Distinguished Affiliated Faculty at Regent University where he teaches graduate courses for the Robertson School of Government. He is also a Visiting Professor at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu, Japan where he teaches courses on Violence, Cybersecurity Management, Strategy, and the Political economics of Asia. He has traveled extensively (58 countries to date) including time spent in the Middle East researching and studying terrorism. He was a tenured professor at Union University (TN) and later served the Director of the Pacific Rim Center at Northwest University where he held a dual appointment as Professor of both Business and Political Science.
In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews US Air Force Brigadier General (ret) Rob Spalding, CEO of SEMPRE, about their 5G technology and its relevance to the nuclear enterprise. They discuss the need for resilient infrastructure in the face of natural disasters and potential EMP attacks. SEMPRE's technology aims to provide communication capabilities that can withstand such events and ensure the continuity of critical services. The deployment and functionality of SEMPRE's technology are explained, highlighting its decentralized architecture and ability to extend resiliency to existing networks. The security and accessibility of the system are also addressed. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of protecting citizens and the potential collaboration with national carriers. Dr. Spalding is the former White House National Security Council Senior Director for Strategic Planning and served in senior positions of strategy and diplomacy within the Defense and State Departments for more than 26 years. SEMPRE is the only technology company created to protect and secure our most critical resource: data. He was the chief architect for the widely praised 2017 National Security Strategy and the Senior Director for Strategy to the President at the National Security Council. Rob’s innovation while serving in the White House has led to a reset in national security and public policy regarding telecommunications in the US as well as globally. 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