
About this episode
In this episode of the podcast, Sam Harris speaks with Fred Kaplan about the ever-present threat of nuclear war. They discuss the history of nuclear deterrence, U.S. first-strike policy, preventive war, limited nuclear war, tactical vs. strategic weapons, Trump’s beliefs about nuclear weapons, the details of command and control, and other topics. Fred Kaplan is the national-security columnist for Slate and the author of five previous books, Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War, The Insurgents: David Petraeus and the Plot to Change the American Way of War (a Pulitzer Prize finalist and New York Times bestseller), 1959, Daydream Believers, and The Wizards of Armageddon. His latest book is The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War. Website: http://www.fredkaplan.info/ Twitter: @fmkaplan
Get every episode summarized
Each time Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content

#422 - Zionism & Jihadism
Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content
Jun 19, 20252:04:11pending

#421 - “More From Sam”: Political Violence, Iran, Deportations, Protests, & Rapi...
Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content
Jun 17, 202558:26pending

#420 - Countdown to Superintelligence
Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content
Jun 12, 20251:14:09pending

#419 - "More From Sam": Elon vs. Trump, Religion, Jordan Peterson, & Rapid Fire...
Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content
Jun 6, 202548:30pending