Show Notes
Right now, there are more than 12,000 nuclear weapons on Earth.
The detonation of just one could kill hundreds of thousands, flatten a city, poison survivors for generations, and reshape global politics permanently.
These weapons are the ultimate currency of power. So why do some countries get to have them, while others are told they can’t?
Why is Israel widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, while Iran faces intense international pressure over its program? How did North Korea—one of the world’s most repressive regimes—successfully build a nuclear arsenal, while countries like Germany and Japan did not? And what does it say about global security that Ukraine gave up the nuclear weapons on its territory in exchange for guarantees… only to later be invaded?
We’ll explore the history of nuclear proliferation, the political decisions behind who gets the bomb, and the high-stakes risks that continue to worry security experts.
Bianca Nobilo digs into the history of who gets nuclear weapons, who doesn’t - and who decides. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from History Uncensored
Why does France have such a long history of political unrest and revolution? As the latest riots dominate the headlines and President Emmanuel Macron speaks out, understanding France’s past may offer important clues to the tensions unfolding today.
Was the suspected plague death of Darya Shipilova in Russia an accident, or could it point to a wider threat from biological weapons?
Who are the Houthis, and how did they become powerful enough to challenge Saudi Arabia and disrupt global trade?
The news is out… Tim Marshall joins Bianca Nobilo as co-host of History Uncensored!
How does Vladimir Putin use history to justify Russia’s war in Ukraine?