The fourth series of the Radio 4 podcast, Sideways hosted by Matthew Syed, includes a 4-part mini-series called ‘The Nuclear Reckoning’.
Since the end of the Cold War, when relations between two of the world’s nuclear superpowers – the former USSR and the USA – seemed rosier, Matthew argues that many of us have slipped into a kind of comfortable amnesia about the presence of these weapons, these destroyers of worlds.
The wakeup call came when President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine in February accompanied by veiled nuclear threats that were widely reported. It was a reminder of the mind-bending fact that there are weapons in existence that are capable of eradicating our species.
Over four episodes, Matthew explores the intellectual and strategic frameworks birthed by the bomb and the tensions of the Cold War, which sought to contain the ultimate destructive force.
From deterrence to disarmament and non-proliferation these ideas all aim at one goal – protection from catastrophic nuclear use. Understanding their origins and complexities is urgently needed, Matthew argues. Ultimately, Matthew will be asking if the actions of Putin in Ukraine call for a new intellectual framework to help make our world safe.
Episode one of Sideways is now available with following episodes on BBC Radio 4 each Wednesday at 9am, then on BBC Sounds, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen.
