SUMMARY

In this “The Fourth Leg” episode, we are joined by nuclear weapons and conflict resolution expert, Steven E. Miller, of Harvard’s Belfer Center, to discuss the historical significance and evolution of nuclear communications. Hotlines have increased and improved over time, reaching well beyond the White House’s red telephone link to Moscow. Miller brings us through the history of hotlines and the role they play in conflict, de-escalation, alliances, and nuclear strategy today. Their criticality is clear  — the most heavily armed nuclear rivals should be able to directly communicate in all circumstances. Tune in to find out why our CATALINK design – a radically simple and secure nuclear crisis communications hotline – is necessary for averting future war.

This podcast is accompanied by Steven E. Miller’s paper “Nuclear Hotlines: Origins, Evolution, Applications.”