Today is part 1 of a 2 part conversation with Lisa Perry on the topic of nuclear weapons and US nuclear policy. In this part of our conversation, I ask Lisa to describe 3 of the biggest concerns facing our current nuclear posture in the United States. We also talk about how Lisa became interested in nuclear weapons and the prospects of nuclear winter.
My hope going into this was that we would record a sort of broad strokes overview of the current nuclear outlook in the US and why it deserves our attention. The goal was to create a resource for people who either don’t think nuclear weapons are a concern anymore, or for those that don’t know much of anything about them in the first place.
I will just note that part 1 is somewhat long and dense with information. But don’t be intimidated! I’ve provided chapters at the bottom of these notes that you can use to break up your listening. If asked, I would recommend listening through one “Nuclear Policy Concern” per day. So, essentially breaking this up into thirds might be a good idea for many listeners or viewers.
In part 2 next week, we have a more conversational-style discussion on nuclear weapons, including the role of culture in changing policy, what our future might look like and much more.
ABOUT LISA PERRY
Lisa is the Communications Director for The William J. Perry Project and the host of the At The Brink podcast. Lisa is the granddaughter of former Secretary of Defense William Perry and has dedicated her career to sounding the alarm about the modern threat of nuclear weapons for the post Cold War generations. Lisa is committed to empowering the public by breaking down the complex issues surrounding these weapons. Her show, At the Brink, is about humanity’s most terrifying weapon and the stories of those who have shaped its history. At the Brink features the personal stories of presidents, cabinet members, congressmen, nuclear physicists, atomic bomb survivors, military officials, and activists.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
**This episode was recorded on March 10, 2021**
LISA PERRY & AT THE BRINK
Lisa Perry on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisaatthebrink
Find all links to “At The Brink” podcast here: https://atthebrink.org/
OTHER RELEVANT LINKS
“My Journey at the Nuclear Brink” by William J. Perry: https://amzn.to/2S2PAF2
“The Button: The New Nuclear Arms Race and Presidential Power from Truman to Trump” by William J. Perry and Tom Z. Collina: https://amzn.to/2TtDvce
“Seek Immediate Shelter” episode of At The Brink: https://atthebrink.org/podcast/seek-immediate-shelter-nuclear-false-alarms/
“Hibakusha” episode of At The Brink: https://atthebrink.org/podcast/hibakusha-survivors-of-the-bomb/
“The Biscuit and the Football” episode of At The Brink: https://atthebrink.org/podcast/the-biscuit-and-the-football-sole-presidential-authority-and-nuclear-first-use/
Hibakusha Stories: https://hibakushastories.org
theEWpodcast
https://ericwhte.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw27qaF6r_XdQrzREV21QSA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericwhte
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.whte/
Newsletter: https://ericwhte.com/newsletter/
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 A Brief Introduction
00:38 Introducing Lisa Perry
03:28 How Lisa Perry became involved with nuclear weapons and why it matters
20:32 Nuclear Policy Concern 1: Launch on Warning
43:51 Nuclear Policy Concern 2: Presidential Sole Authority
1:01:48 Nuclear Winter
1:06:33 Nuclear Policy Concern 3: First Use
1:18:52 How come we make so little progress with potentially dangerous nuclear policies?
1:22:38 Future generations and The Bomb
