NucleCast

General Rand: The Critical Role of Personnel in U.S. Air Force's Strategic Deterrent
In this conversation, General Retired Robin Rand discusses the critical role of personnel in maintaining the U.S. Air Force's strategic deterrent capabilities. He highlights the challenges of operating and maintaining aging military assets, the importance of leadership and motivation in harsh conditions, and the evolving training processes for pilots. Rand emphasizes the significance of the triad in strategic deterrence and praises the quality of today's military personnel, while also acknowledging the sacrifices made by their families.General (Ret) Robin Rand is the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute (OADII). In this role, he is the lead executive for the University of Oklahoma’s institute that concentrates on the four national defense strategic research areas of international security policy, modernization and sustainment resilience, cyberspace and information dominance, and spectrum dominance.General (Ret) Rand served for over 40 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, including six overseas assignments, multiple flying assignments and duty as an air liaison officer with the U.S. Army, studies at the Naval War College, Pentagon staff assignments as a policy planner on the Joint staff, principle director for Middle East policy for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Director Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, and eight different command tours. His last Air Force position was Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, and Commander, Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command where he was responsible for the land and air legs of the Nation’s nuclear triad. He is a command pilot with over 5,100 flying hours, predominately in the F-16, including more than 480 combat hours.Chapters00:00 The Importance of People in Strategic Deterrence02:58 Challenges of Maintaining Diverse Military Assets06:01 Modernization and Maintenance of Aging Systems09:10 Leadership and Motivation in Harsh Conditions11:54 Training and Evolving Technologies in the Air Force14:45 The Triad: Understanding Strategic Deterrence18:09 The Quality of Today's Military Personnel21:10 Family Challenges in Military Deployments23:50 Skills Gained from Military Service27:08 The Collective Effort of Team Air ForceSocials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to [email protected]
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33:22
Tim Nank: The Evolution and Implications of Tactical Nuclear Weapons
Tim Nank, a former Naval Intelligence Officer, discusses the complexities and implications of tactical nuclear weapons. He explores the evolution, advantages, and potential use of these weapons in modern warfare, as well as the perceptions surrounding their effects. The conversation delves into the geopolitical landscape, the need for public education on nuclear issues, and the future of nuclear strategy amidst rising tensions globally.Tim Nank, is a consultant for CACI International, an Adjunct Professor at Catholic University and a former intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy. He has over 20 years of national level experience in management with national security, intelligence collection and analysis, proliferation analysis, counter terrorism, and operations impacting issues at the highest strategic levels of government. Tim is a former White House Appointee that focused on nuclear weapon non-proliferation and counter-terrorism under President George W. Bush. After that, Tim continued his work in nuclear non-proliferation and counter-terrorism in a variety of intelligence agencies.Additionally, Tim spent 16 years in the US Navy as an intelligence officer in an active duty and reserve capacity. He has served in a variety of different commands such as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and aboard the USS PONCE-15 (AFSB-i). Tim has also been an Adjunct Professor at Trinity University (DC) teaching graduate classes for the School of Business and Graduate Studies and the School of Professional and Graduate Studies. He also consulted for companies such as SAIC, ANSER and Booz Allen Hamilton for a variety of different programs.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Tactical Nuclear Weapons03:11 The Evolution and Advantages of Tactical Nuclear Weapons05:54 Debate on Yield and Usability of Nuclear Weapons09:00 Perceptions of Nuclear Weapons Effects12:05 Geopolitical Implications of Tactical Nuclear Weapons15:00 Future of Tactical Nuclear Weapons17:53 Public Understanding and Education on Nuclear Weapons20:56 Wishes for the Future of Nuclear StrategySocials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to [email protected]
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33:03
Gen (Ret.) Robin Rand: Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute (OADII)
Jim Howe hosts Gen (Ret.) Robin Rand, the Executive Director of Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute (OADII) where they discuss the establishment of OADII and it's research is accelerating critical results for our nations security.In his role, General Rand is the lead executive for the University of Oklahoma’s institute that concentrates on the four national defense strategic research areas of international security policy, modernization and sustainment resilience, cyberspace and information dominance, and spectrum dominance.General (Ret) Rand served for over 40 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, including six overseas assignments, multiple flying assignments and duty as an air liaison officer with the U.S. Army, studies at the Naval War College, Pentagon staff assignments as a policy planner on the Joint staff, principle director for Middle East policy for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Director Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, and eight different command tours. His last Air Force position was Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, and Commander, Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command where he was responsible for the land and air legs of the Nation’s nuclear triad. He is a command pilot with over 5,100 flying hours, predominately in the F-16, including more than 480 combat hours.After retiring from the Air Force in Sep 2018, he served as Chief Executive Officer for the Gary Sinise Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, Board of Directors member for Top Aces Corporation and the Air and Space Forces Association, trustee member for the United States Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation, LEONID board of advisors member, strategic advisor in government relations and public policy for Baker Donelson Law Firm, adjunct contract professor and senior mentor for United States Air Force, and senior consultant for several defense-related organizationsGeneral (Ret) Rand has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Science from the United States Air Force Academy; Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Master of Arts Degree in National Security Policy from the Naval War College.Socials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to [email protected]
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35:40
Aaron Holland: A Personal Journey in the Nuclear Field
Aaron Holland, a passionate young scholar in the field of nuclear deterrence, shares his journey from a master's student to a PhD candidate, discussing the complexities of nuclear strategy and the challenges he faced in military recruitment. He emphasizes the importance of networking, mentorship, and resilience in pursuing a career in the nuclear field. The conversation also touches on the need for greater awareness of career opportunities and the significance of paying it forward to the next generation of scholars.Aaron Holland is a Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science at the University of Utah & an Analyst at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, specializing in international relations, complex deterrence theories, and comparative politics. His research focuses on nuclear weapons deterrence, rational and psychological factors in decision-making, and the intersection of narrative control and security dynamics. Aaron has published extensively on topics such as nuclear superiority, escalation dominance, and narrative influence in global security, and he currently serves as an analyst at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies. His work aims to bridge theoretical insights with practical applications in policy and international security.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Aaron Holland and His Journey01:37 The Fascination with Nuclear Deterrence04:21 Challenges in Military Recruitment and Personal Journey08:07 Navigating Academic Paths in Nuclear Studies10:53 Networking and Finding Mentors14:53 Creating Opportunities in the Nuclear Field18:54 Pursuing a Career in Nuclear Practice23:41 Wishes for Workforce Development27:34 Increasing Awareness of Career Opportunities32:25 Final Thoughts and Advice for the Next GenerationSocials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to [email protected]
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35:51
Robert Peters: Escalation; A Tool for Deterrence
In this episode of NucleCast, Bob Peters discusses the often-misunderstood concept of escalation in national security. He explores how escalation is perceived negatively by many national security professionals, leading to a risk-averse approach that can undermine deterrence. Peters argues that the U.S. needs to embrace escalation as a strategic tool, especially in the context of being a status quo power. The conversation also touches on the challenges within military education and the need for a shift in mindset regarding the use of military force.Robert Peters is a Research Fellow for Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense in The Heritage Foundation’s Allison Center for National Security. Prior to joining Heritage, Peters served as the lead strategist at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, where he oversaw the office that developed the Agency’s five-year strategy, conducted the Agency’s research and tabletop exercise program, and executed Agency-level program evaluations. Leading a team of forty-two people, Peters revamped the research function within the Agency and oversaw the Department of Defense’s Track 1.5 and Track 2 strategic dialogues with allies and partners.For many years, Peters served as a Senior Research Fellow at National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, where he focused on nuclear deterrence issues, countering weapons of mass destruction, and counterproliferation.In the first Obama Administration, Peters served as the Special Advisor for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he worked on the New START nuclear arms control treaty, the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review, and the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review.In addition, Peters held positions at Northrop Grumman and the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.A graduate of Miami University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Peters has lectured at National War College, Missouri State University, Army War College, and the United States Naval AcademyChapters00:00 Introduction to Escalation in National Security05:41 Understanding Escalation as a Tool12:46 The Impact of Status Quo on Escalation19:38 Challenges in Military Thinking26:59 Wishes for Military Strategy ReformSocials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to [email protected]
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36:30

Welcome to NucleCast, the official podcast of the ANWA Deterrence Center. NucleCast is an engaging, educational podcast featuring a series of discussions and interviews with experts in nuclear policy, technology, and deterrence. The show is hosted by Dr. Adam Lowther, Strategic Advisor to the ANWA Deterrence Center and an expert on nuclear deterrence.

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