Great simplification pulsing lines

Ep 97  |  Chuck Watson

Chuck Watson: “The Nuclear Wild West”

Check out this podcast

TGS94 Chuck Watson The Great Simplification

Show Summary

On this episode, Nate is re-joined by risk expert Chuck Watson for a candid discussion of recent news regarding the nuclear developments between Russia and the United States. As the world’s attention is focused on the events in the Middle East, US testing and development of new nuclear weapons and Russia’s decision to pull out of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty last week have been overlooked and underreported by major media. Yet, in the bigger picture these trends represent some of the most imminent risks to life on Earth as we know it. What is the history behind this framework of trust that took decades to develop, and how quickly might our current fear spiral destroy it? Are the people in positions of power aware of the dangers of this situation and acting with appropriate caution? What should concerned individuals and leaders understand and advocate for to minimize this truly existential risk?

About Chuck Watson

Chuck Watson has had a long career in military and intelligence work, with a specialty in natural and human made disaster modeling. He worked for the US Air Force, was an attache to US Ambassadors to the Middle East Robert McFarland, and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as a Soviet expert. Chuck has worked as an advisor to the military for over four decades with a particular emphasis on big data, open source intelligence, with an emphasis on the Soviet Union and Russia. Chuck is also the founder and Director of Research and Development of Enki Holdings, LLC, which designs computer models for phenomena ranging from tropical cyclones (hurricanes) and other weather phenomena, earthquakes, and tsunamis, as well as anthropogenic hazards such as industrial accidents, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction.

In French, we have a motto that says that a simple drawing is often better than a long explanation. Jean-Marc Jancovici Carbone 4 President

That’s very understandable because with left atmosphere thinking, one of the problems is that you see everything as a series of problems that must have solutions. Iain McGilchrist Neuroscientist and Philosopher

We can’t have hundreds and hundreds of real relationships that are healthy because that requires time and effort and full attention and awareness of being in real relationship and conversation with the other human. Nate Hagens Director of ISEOF

This is the crux of the whole problem. Individual parts of nature are more valuable than the biocomplexity of nature. Thomas Crowther Founder Restor

Show Notes & Links to Learn More

00:00 – Chuck Watson Info, Past Episodes, Supplemental Reading from Chuck, Chuck Watson response to alternative view from Pavel Podvig published November 8th, 2023

00:27 – Russia withdrawal from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, US testing nuclear weapons

03:10 – Carl Shurz

04:42 – US lack of no-first-use doctrine, cases for first use

08:08 – Subcritical test

08:29 – Non-proliferation

09:02 – US developing a new class of high-yield nuclear weapons

10:10 – China isn’t a part of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

11:52 – U.S. Treaty signing process

12:40 – Russian Government System

14:07 – Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty

14:23 – Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

15:45 – Open Skies Treaty

15:59 – Cold War

16:47 – Law of the Seas, list of treaties that the US has signed but never ratified

18:27 – Oppenheimer

19:20 – Sexual Selection

21:46 – Little Boy Bomb

22:58 – Number of nuclear warheads

23:10 – DOD Press Release Oct 27th

27:53 – China’s stance on nuclear safety measures

28:40 – Dedollarization

31:33 – Proud Prophet

33:57 – Anti-war movement

35:40 – War on Terror

36:19 – Destruction in Gaza

36:44 – Dial-a-yield

37:25 – Secretary of State Blinken

40:52 – Jake Sullivan, General Austin

42:08 – Two State Policy

42:39 – Israel Nuclear Use Policy and arsenal

44:33 – Strategic ambiguity

48:36 – Hezbollah

55:06 – Johnny Carson Show, Ed McMahone

More:

‘Buying influence’: top US nuclear board advisers are tied to arms business

The Collapse of Global Arms Control

Download transcript
Back to episodes
Rod SchoonoverThe National Security Risks We’re Not Prepared ForWith Rod SchoonoverThe Great SimplificationEp 183 | Rod Schoonover

National security concerns have been the invisible hand guiding governance throughout recorded history. In the 20th century, it was defined by a country versus country dynamic: whichever nation was the strongest and most strategic was also the safest. But today, our biggest national security threats don’t come from opposing nations – they are “actorless threats” that emerge from the breakdown of the complex systems we all depend on – from the stability of our planetary systems to our intricately complex and fragile global supply chains. In this unprecedented landscape, what is required of us in order to keep our citizens safe?

Watch nowJun 18, 2025
Movie Re-ReleaseThe Systems Science Behind Our Global CrisesWith Nate HagensThe Great SimplificationEp 182 | Nate Hagens

Three years ago, my team and I created a 30-minute movie that provides a comprehensive systems analysis of the human predicament—spanning energy, economics, ecology, and behavioral psychology. This beautifully animated film aims to help viewers understand the interconnected crises defining our era.

Watch nowJun 13, 2025
Globalization End GameHelena Norberg-Hodge HeadshotGlobalization End GameWith Helena Norberg-HodgeThe Great SimplificationEp 181 | Helena Norberg-Hodge

Over the last few decades, humanity has globalized everything – from food production and supply chains to communication and information systems – making countries, businesses, and individuals more connected and reliant on each other than ever before. Yet, with this increased interconnectedness comes more complexity and fragility. What have we lost through the globalization process, and how might we fortify our communities by investing in local economies?

Watch nowJun 11, 2025

Subscribe to our Substack

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future (ISEOF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, founded in 2008, that conducts research and educates the public about energy issues and their impact on society.

Support our work
Get in touch
x