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Deterrence Matters: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The National Institute for Deterrence Studies
Deterrence Matters is where timely national security issues meet candid conversation and we come together to explore the deterrence challenges making headlines and shaping the future. From emerging threats and strategic competition to nuclear policy and the changing security environment, each episode offers fresh perspectives, informed debate, and sometimes a little humor along the way. Our goal is simple: build greater understanding of deterrence, develop the next generation of deterrence professionals, and strengthen the workforce entrusted with preserving peace, security, and stability.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 4 days ago36 min
200 - The B-21, Base Defense, and the Future of Strategic Deterrence with Gen. (Ret.) “Seve” Wilson
How must strategic deterrence evolve to remain credible in an increasingly complex and contested world?In this episode, retired U.S. Air Force General Stephen “Seve” Wilson explores the evolution of strategic deterrence, the modernization of America’s nuclear enterprise, and the leadership decisions shaping the future of U.S. airpower. Drawing on decades of senior military experience, Gen. Wilson discusses the changing requirements for strategic bombers, the development of the B-21 Raider, and the need for both penetrating bombers and standoff weapons to preserve credible deterrence.The conversation also examines a growing challenge for the nuclear enterprise: protecting bomber bases and other critical infrastructure from emerging threats, including drones and other disruptive technologies. Gen. Wilson explains why base defense, adaptability, readiness, and technological innovation must evolve alongside U.S. strategic capabilities.At the heart of the discussion is a fundamental principle: deterrence requires more than military capability. It requires the demonstrated credibility, readiness, and will to use that capability when necessary.
- 1 weeks ago42 min
199 - News in Review October 2026: Drones, Nuclear Forces & the Future of Deterrence
In this episode of Deterrence Matters, Jim and Curtis examine several developments shaping today’s deterrence and national security environment. From the growing threat that inexpensive drones pose to military aircraft and infrastructure to political uncertainty in France and Russia’s continuing nuclear modernization, they explore what these developments could mean for strategic stability and defense planning.The discussion looks beyond weapons and force structure to consider the increasingly important role of perception, information, and narrative in deterrence. They also examine the case for hardened infrastructure and passive defenses, the challenge of protecting high-value assets against comparatively low-cost threats, and how emerging technologies are changing the security environment.www.thinkdeterrence.com
- 2 weeks ago48 min
198 - The Nuclear Paradox: Can Deterrence and Disarmament Coexist?
In this episode of Deterrence Matters, host Jim Petrosky sits down with NIDS Senior Fellow Kirk Fansher to examine one of national security’s most enduring debates: the tension between nuclear deterrence and disarmament.Using the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists article, “The Nuclear Paradox: Why the World Wants Both Deterrence and Disarmament,” as a starting point, Jim and Kirk challenge assumptions about disarmament, minimum deterrence, and whether a world without nuclear weapons would necessarily be more stable.They explore the risks of both minimum and maximum deterrence, the strategic roles of ICBMs, submarines, and bombers, counterforce versus countervalue targeting, and how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, drones, and precision strike could affect strategic stability.At its core, this conversation asks a critical question: How do we preserve peace without creating the very instability that makes war more likely?For anyone interested in nuclear strategy, arms control, great-power competition, and the future of deterrence, this is a conversation worth hearing.
- 3 weeks ago45 min
197 - Is Putin’s Kaliningrad Threat Real or Merely Scary Messaging?
Russia’s nuclear threats are back in the spotlight—but are they a strategic bluff or a signal designed to shape NATO’s next move? Jim and Curtis unpack the Kremlin’s rhetoric around Kaliningrad, the Baltic Sea, and Lithuania’s shift in policy on nuclear-capable NATO access, exploring why this small enclave has become a volatile pressure point in European security. The hosts examine Kaliningrad’s strategic geography, Russia’s concerns about blockade and isolation, and the risks of escalation and miscalculation. Curtis considers how Putin’s “all weapons in our arsenal” language may function as brinkmanship and deterrence messaging, while Jim asks whether repeated nuclear warnings risk losing their credibility—and whether NATO’s response is strong enough to influence Russian behavior. Connecting the current standoff to Cold War lessons that highlight the importance of clear communication, credible deterrence, and understanding how each side perceives the threat. The conversation closes with a reminder that deterrence is ultimately about preventing war—not fighting one. www.thinkdeterrence.com
- Oct 7, 202642 min
196 - Russia’s Dead Hand Is Back - And It Changes Deterrence
Russia is pouring steel, concrete, and cable into a buried command complex in the Urals - and the move may reveal exactly how deterrence is changing in real time. Jim and Curtis unpack the reported expansion of Facility 1335, the so-called Perimeter or "dead hand" system, and what it means for second-strike credibility, first-strike fears, and the future of nuclear command and control. The conversation starts with a major announcement: The NIDS View is now the Deterrence Matters podcast. Jim explains why the name change is meant to sharpen the mission and reach a wider audience. The hosts break down the reporting behind Russia's bunker expansion, including procurement evidence, satellite imagery, and the scale of the buildout - tens of thousands of tons of steel and cement, hundreds of kilometers of cable, new entrances, and extensive excavation. They also explore a modern twist: as Russia reportedly modernizes Perimeter to connect with space-based and mobile assets, the strategic equation gets even more complex. If one side believes it is invulnerable, how does the other side restore deterrence without escalating the risk? That question sits at the heart of this episode. www.thinkdeterrence.com
- Sep 29, 202649 min
195 - News in Review September 2026
Nuclear testing, Russian strategic messaging, North Korea, China, and the race for technological advantage are all shaping an increasingly complex security environment. Jim and Curtis unpack what these developments mean for deterrence, national security, and future U.S. strategy. From the growing strategic importance of Russia-North Korea ties to the role of science, technology, and workforce development, this episode connects the month’s headlines to the larger challenges facing policymakers and national security leaders. www.thinkdeterrence.com
- Sep 23, 202645 min
194 - Space Weapons, Deterrence and Messaging
Chris Stone joins The NIDS View to unpack the U.S. announcement on space control weapons and what it portends for the future of national security. From lasers and high-powered microwaves to orbital threats and competing Chinese and Russian capabilities, the conversation examines what it takes to protect vital space assets in an increasingly contested environment. The discussion also addresses fundamental deterrence questions in the space domain, such as how to convince an adversary they cannot deny American space access. With space deeply connected to military operations, communications, and the broader economy, the stakes extend far beyond orbit.www.thinkdeterrence.com
- Sep 16, 202643 min
193 - Nuclear Deterrence Isn't Broken - It's Misunderstood and Misapplied
Nuclear deterrence is not failing in Ukraine and Iran - it is being misread. Retired Colonel Kirk Fansher breaks down why some of the loudest anti-nuclear arguments confuse deterrence with total war, and why that distinction changes everything. The conversation starts with a provocative opinion piece claiming the wars in Ukraine and Iran expose the "flaws" in nuclear deterrence. Curtis and Kirk push back hard, showing how Russia's arsenal has done exactly what deterrence is supposed to do: keep NATO out of the trenches and shape escalation without triggering a nuclear exchange. They also unpack why attacks on strategic bombers, missile launches aimed at distant bases, and repeated regional strikes do not automatically prove nuclear weapons are useless. www.thinkdeterrence.com
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About Deterrence Matters
Deterrence Matters is where timely national security issues meet candid conversation and we come together to explore the deterrence challenges making headlines and shaping the future. From emerging threats and strategic competition to nuclear policy and the changing security environment, each episode offers fresh perspectives, informed debate, and sometimes a little humor along the way. Our goal is simple: build greater understanding of deterrence, develop the next generation of deterrence professionals, and strengthen the workforce entrusted with preserving peace, security, and stability.
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