Episode 17 - Demystifying Deterrence Theorists with Kalic

Dr. Sean Kalic, DMH Master Instructor, talks with Drs. Jonathan Abel and Angela Riotto about deterrence theory in the twentieth century.  They begin with the immediate post-World War 2 period and the advent of nuclear weapons, first by the US in 1945 and then by the Soviets by 1950.  They discuss how American and Soviet theorists reacted to the weapons, their potential uses, and what nuclear conflict might look like.  They analyze the effects of the Korean and Vietnam Wars on deterrence theory, creating a delectate balance of limited war and theoretical nuclear apocalypse.  Finally, they conclude with the late Cold War, as both sides struggled for ascendancy even while reducing their nuclear stockpiles.

"History is only a confused heap of facts." - Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield

Host: Dr. Jonathan Abel, CGSC DMH

Artwork: Daniel O. Neal

Music: SSG Noah Taylor, West Point Band