Special Release - The Nuclear Question (The War in Ukraine with General Ben Hodges)

Описание: Nuclear tensions between Russia and the West continue to rise as a result of the War in Ukraine, so we're proud to bring you this special release specifically on the nuclear question, in collaboration with Renew Democracy Initiative and General Ben Hodges. General Hodges continues his discussion with security expert Edward Lucas on Russia’s potential use of tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine. The two remain confident that this possibility will not become a reality, but argue that Putin’s threats should be taken seriously.

Hodges and Lucas articulate their skepticism about the validity of Putin’s willingness to use nuclear weapons. There would be pushback within Russia over a decision to use nuclear weapons, and there would likely be interference from China and the West. Ultimately, they find no clear and compelling case for Putin to use nuclear weapons. Pointing to nuclear weapons as a deterrent against an attack on the Russian homeland by a nuclear-armed adversary, they determine that their use has only downsides in Ukraine.

Lucas notes that the response from the international community to a Russian nuclear attack would be enormous. He clarifies that using nuclear weapons is not as easy as Hollywood would have us believe. If Russia were to take this route, he estimates it would destroy Russian relations with China and India. Furthermore, it would make Russia an international pariah state beyond even North Korea.

Hodges concludes that the United States would have to react if Russia were to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine. He notes that the Biden administration has clarified the devastating consequences of such actions. A US reprisal could have a catastrophic effect on the Russian Black Sea fleet, Russian forces, and other Russian capabilities inside Ukraine. They note in unison that there is no battlefield advantage to using nuclear weapons under the circumstances of the war and that it would furthermore have no effect on Ukrainian resolve.

Hodges and Lucas agree that the West is overestimating the risk of potential Russian escalation to the detriment of Ukrainian victory. Thus far, they describe the West’s course of action as “too little, too late.” If the West had clarified its willingness to support Ukraine a year ago, they surmise that Russia would never have invaded in the first place.

It's time for a #NewDebate. #IdeasStillMatter

Presented by:
Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges. United States Army

With:
Edward Lucas

Filmed and Edited by:
Dan Poole

Additional Camera:
Tom Child

Grooming:
Nicola Harrowell

Sound Design by:
JD Evans

VFX by:
Smith Robinson Multimedia

Produced by:
Matt Dreher
Cort Kristensen
Dan Poole

Executive Producers:
Uriel Epshtein
Noor Greene

Additional Graphics:
Gabriel Strobel

Licensed Archive by:
Pond 5
Planet Labs

Licensed Music by:
Audio Network
Special thanks to Laurence Markham and Duncan Flight and Park Plaza Westminster

Fair Use:
Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
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