What A Day - Episode Summary: "80 Years After Hiroshima and Nagasaki, New Nuclear Threats Emerge"

Release Date: August 11, 2025
Host: Jane Coaston
Producer: Crooked Media

1. Introduction

In this episode of What A Day, host Jane Coaston delves into the pressing issue of nuclear weapons, reflecting on their historical impact and examining emerging threats in the modern geopolitical landscape. The conversation is enriched by an in-depth interview with historian Garrett Graff, whose expertise provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of both past and present nuclear challenges.

2. Nuclear Weapons: Historical Context and Current Threats

a. The Significance of Nuclear Weapons Today

Jane Coaston opens the discussion by highlighting the ongoing nuclear tensions, particularly focusing on the upcoming meeting between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The meeting aims to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, a conflict initiated by Russia. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasizes the gravity of this meeting, stating, "What will happen on Friday is testing Putin by President Trump and I commend him for the fact that he organized this meeting" (01:01).

b. Historical Parallels and Lessons

To provide historical context, Jane speaks with Garrett Graff about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, marking 80 years since these pivotal events. Graff explains that his new book, The Devil Reached Toward the Surface: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb, compiles firsthand accounts from approximately 500 participants involved in the Manhattan Project. He emphasizes the value of oral history in capturing the uncertainty and complexities faced by those who developed the bomb, noting, "Often in narrative history, there's a tendency to make events seem neater, cleaner, simpler, and more preordained than they felt to anyone else" (03:02).

c. The Roots of the Manhattan Project

Graff sheds light on the European origins of the atomic bomb, particularly the contributions of Jewish physicists fleeing Nazi Germany. He recounts the disbelief among these scientists regarding Hitler's true intentions, stating, "None of my friends thought Adolf Hitler would actually do any of the things that he was going to do" (04:50). This skepticism drove the urgent push for the United States to develop nuclear weapons before Nazi Germany could.

d. Modern Nuclear Threats

Transitioning to the present, Graff warns of the escalating nuclear dangers in 2025. He points to conflicts such as the India-Pakistan tensions and the US-Israeli operations against Iran's nuclear program as indicators of rising instability. Highlighting the sheer destructive power of today's nuclear arsenal, Graff states, "The weapons that we have today dwarf even the terror of the weapons that were used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki" (08:27). He underscores the need for robust safeguards and a reevaluation of the current nuclear arsenal, advocating for "an incredibly small arsenal of weapons" (13:16).

e. Reflections from Survivors

Graff also shares poignant testimonies from survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, emphasizing the profound human cost of nuclear warfare. These narratives serve as a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons, reinforcing the imperative to prevent their future use.

3. Current Geopolitical Events

a. Trump-Putin Alaska Summit

The episode discusses the high-stakes meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, aimed at negotiating peace in Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte describes the meeting as a "test" for Putin and commends Trump's efforts to engage in peace talks (01:01). However, critics fear parallels to the 1938 Munich Agreement, where appeasement led to further conflict.

b. Texas Redistricting Battle

Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker voices strong opposition to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's redistricting efforts, framing them as attempts to secure more congressional seats for Donald Trump in the upcoming midterms. Abbott responds by threatening to continuously call special sessions to remove Democratic lawmakers who fled Texas to avoid redistricting (17:58).

c. Protests in Israel Against Netanyahu

Massive demonstrations erupted in Israel as thousands protested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to escalate the conflict in Gaza. Critics, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, condemned the offensive, fearing increased bloodshed and the endangerment of Israeli hostages (19:14). Netanyahu's intention to take control of Gaza City was met with international outrage and calls for a general strike to oppose further military actions.

d. U.S. Federal Policing in Washington D.C.

Amidst reports of decreased violent crime in Washington D.C., President Trump ordered an increase in federal law enforcement presence following an attempted carjacking incident. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser criticized the move, highlighting the 26% drop in violent crimes over the past two years and questioning the necessity of the federal intervention (20:08).

4. Conclusion

Jane Coaston wraps up the episode by reinforcing the critical importance of understanding nuclear history to address current threats effectively. The discussions underscore the urgency of reevaluating nuclear policies and fostering international dialogue to prevent the catastrophic use of nuclear weapons. Listeners are encouraged to stay informed and engaged with the complex geopolitical dynamics shaping today's world.

Notable Quotes:

• Mark Rutte (NATO Secretary General):
  "What will happen on Friday is testing Putin by President Trump and I commend him for the fact that he organized this meeting." (01:01)

• Garrett Graff (Historian):
  "Often in narrative history, there's a tendency to make events seem neater, cleaner, simpler, and more preordained than they felt to anyone else." (03:02)
  "The weapons that we have today dwarf even the terror of the weapons that were used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki." (08:27)
  "We should have serious conversations about the size and scale of our nuclear arsenal." (13:16)

• Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister):
  "Will Israel take control of all of Gaza?" (19:48)
  "We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel." (19:51)

• Greg Abbott (Texas Governor):
  "If they want to evade that arrest, they're going to have to stay outside of the state of Texas for literally years." (18:52)

Timestamps:

• Introduction: 00:02 – 01:01
• Nuclear Weapons Discussion: 01:22 – 13:20
• Current Geopolitical Events: 16:04 – 20:08

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections between these timestamps have been omitted to maintain focus on the core discussions.

Further Engagement:

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