Scott talks to Hans Kristensen about nuclear proliferation. Ever since the U.S. government backed the coup in Ukraine in 2014, he says, we’ve been flying bombers near Russia and the Baltic states in what are ostensibly “training exercises,” but which in reality are meant to intimidate America’s enemies. Kristensen explains that even though these bombers don’t have nuclear capabilities, they are a demonstration of U.S. reach into Eastern Europe. Of course the obvious danger with this kind of saber-rattling is that actual war breaks out—and nuclear war between America and Russia is something the human race cannot afford.

Discussed on the show:

• “Ukraine crisis: Transcript of leaked Nuland-Pyatt call” (BBC News)
• Audio of the Nuland-Pyatt call (YouTube)

Hans M. Kristensen is an Associate Senior Fellow with the SIPRI Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-proliferation Programme and Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists. Follow him on Twitter @nukestrat.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; Photo IQ; Green Mill Supercritical; Zippix Toothpicks; and Listen and Think Audio.

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