iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Alex Wellerstein @wellerstein.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

So, hey, my new book on Truman and the Bomb comes out NEXT WEEK! In this post on Doomsday Machines, I give a rundown of WHAT IT IS ABOUT, and other useful information, including the talk I am giving about it on December 16. doomsdaymachines.net/p/the-most-a...

doomsdaymachines.net

"The Most Awful Responsibility"

My new book on Truman and the bomb will be released next week

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Stephen Schwartz @atomicanalyst.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

At this moment in 1952 (7:14:59 AM November 1, local time), the United States tested the first true (albeit undeliverable, weighing a massive 82 tons) hydrogen bomb at Enewetak Atoll. The 10.4-Megaton MIKE explosion vaporized Elugelab Island, leaving behind a crater 1.2 miles wide and 164 feet deep.

youtube.com

Ivy Mike Countdown and detonation

YouTube video by atomcentral

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Alex Wellerstein @wellerstein.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Wild illustration choice in this slide from training materials for ICBM launch officers, ca. 2010

Screenshot of a Powerpoint slide. The title is "Strategic Effects." It has three bullet points: 1. The physical employment of nuclear weapons at any level requires explicit orders from the President. 2. Nuclear weapons are unique in their destructive power and psychological impact. 3. The use of nuclear weapons represents a significant escalation from conventional warfare.

There is then an incongruous illustration: a screenshot of the game MISSILE COMMAND for the Atari 5200 (1982).

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John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D. @nuclearhistory.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Have you ever wondered how state control over nuclear information shapes public perceptions? Please join us at #AHA26 as Vincent Intondi, Nic Lewis, Alex Levy, and I offer new perspectives on the dissemination of nuclear knowledge during the Cold War! #nukesky aha.confex.com/aha/2026/web...

aha.confex.com

139th Annual Meeting (January 8-11, 2026): New Perspectives on the Dissemination of Nuclear Knowledge, 1949–84

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John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D. @nuclearhistory.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

As consequential as Macron's overtures may eventually turn out to be, for now the broad brush strokes are in keeping with decades of French policy on Europe and nuclear deterrence. Their significance lies more in the strategic context than in any real policy shift. www.france24.com/fr/france/20...

france24.com

Après le revirement américain, Macron relance le débat sur un parapluie nucléaire européen

Le président français Emmanuel Macron a relancé, samedi, le débat sur un parapluie nucléaire européen, se disant prêt à "ouvrir la discussion" afin de compenser un éventuel désengagement américain.

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

King's College London @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Without the USA as a steadfast ally, European nations are rethinking their security strategies, which bencenemeth.bsky.social of @dsdkings.bsky.social says offers opportunities as well as challenges. ▶️ www.kcl.ac.uk/a-new-geopol... Also see his previous article on defending NATO without the US 🔽

Quote from Dr Bence Nemeth on the opportunities and challenges for Europe from the change in US policy since Trump took office for a second term.

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Kingston Reif @kingstonareif.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

“While meeting defense investment targets by more NATO allies signals political commitment, it does not guarantee enhanced preparedness for deterring Russia or addressing other threats.” www.rand.org/pubs/comment...

rand.org

Time to Reassess the Costs of Euro-Atlantic Security

Increased defense spending in Europe is crucial to deter threats from Russia and China. It is essential to understand and quantify the rising costs of Euro-Atlantic security to determine how allies ca...

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Cold War Conversations Podcast @coldwarpod.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

#BOOKGIVEAWAY Follow @coldwarpod.bsky.social then reshare this post to enter a chance to win a copy of this book. T&C's here coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/ @fleetstreetfox.bsky.social #nuclearveterans #nucleartests #coldwar @cnduk.bsky.social

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Security Studies Program MIT @ssp-mit.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

This recent article, coauthored by SSP Military Fellow Lt. Col. Ryan Fitzgerald and Harvard National Defense Fellow Kira Coffey, offers counterfactual historical analysis to examine what if Taiwan was permitted to build a successful nuclear weapons program. globalsecurityreview.com/taiwans-nucl...

globalsecurityreview.com

Taiwan’s Nuclear What-If: Implications for U.S. Strategy and Global Security — Global Security Review

Strategic Adversaries Deterrence

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues @poni.csis.org · 24/02/2025

#NEW from Vol. 7 of the PONI Nuclear Scholars Journal! 👤from Ashley Wiser at ANSER "On the Eve of a World Without New START Or: How There’s Still No Such Thing as a ‘Nonstrategic’ Nuclear Weapon" Read more here: www.csis.org/analysis/hor...

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 21/02/2025

"The humanities may be as necessary, or as dangerous, as any other set of disciplines. They do, however, offer at least a means and a store of evidence for diagnosing our present discontents." @kfullagar.bsky.social, Vice-President of the ‪@austhistassoc.bsky.social‬.

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

The Onion @theonion.com · 18/02/2025

Historians Politely Remind Nation To Check What's Happened In Past Before Making Any Big Decisions theonion.com/historians-p...

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 14/02/2025

Europe is now staring at the beginning of a new post-American age. The policy collisions to come will be transformative for transatlantic relations and will reshape the transatlantic alliance. Read more from @erep.csis.org: www.csis.org/analysis/tra...

csis.org

The Transatlantic Alliance in the Age of Trump: The Coming Collisions

Europe is now staring at the beginning of a new post-American age. The policy collisions to come will be transformative for transatlantic relations and will reshape the transatlantic alliance.

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John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D. @nuclearhistory.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

To be fair, it's easy to look this thoughtful on Valentine's Day when you have the entire White House staff at your disposal.

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Dr. Heather Williams @heatherwilly.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

What is "Iron Dome for America" anyways?! Join me w Tom Karako and Kari Bingen Tues 11 Feb for a conversation about the implications of the Iron Dome Exec Order and how it fits with defense and deterrence priorities. @poni.csis.org @csis.org www.csis.org/events/what-...

csis.org

What is the "Iron Dome for America"? | CSIS Events

CSIS Defense and Security Department Senior Fellows Tom Karako, Heather Williams, and Kari Bingen discuss the implications of the "Iron Dome for America" executive order for the strategic force.

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John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D. @nuclearhistory.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Thank you to @poni.csis.org and @mattkorda.bsky.social for the opportunity to speak at PONI's 2025 Winter Conference earlier today. It was a pleasure exchanging views on interallied perspectives with our panel of nuclear scholars. #nukesky

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues @poni.csis.org · 11/02/2025

#NEW from Vol. 7 of the PONI Nuclear Scholars Journal! 👤from Samuele Polsinelli, submarine officer within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations "Chinese Coercion: A Nuclear Angle" Read more here: www.csis.org/analysis/hor...

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

British Library @britishlibrary.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Interested in gaining research experience at the Library? Our PhD placement scheme for 2025 is now open, offering doctoral researchers the chance to develop skills and expertise outside the university sector. View the full list of projects and apply by 21 February: bit.ly/BLPhD2025

Books lay open on a reading desk, showing a portrait of a man and a woman.

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Alex Wellerstein @wellerstein.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

In 1940, a book titled "Why Smash Atoms?" was published which argued in favor of apparently useless subatomic research. In a 1946 reprint, a photo of a mushroom cloud was added to before the title page — a striking answer to the question, if a different one from what the author originally intended.

The title page (right) and facing page (left) of the 1946 edition of "Why Smash Atoms?" by Arthur K. Solomon, Harvard University Press. On the left is a photograph of the mushroom cloud over Nagasaki.

First paragraph from the first edition (1940) of "Why Smash Atoms?": "This book is the outcome of innumerable arguments in which I have had to defend my profession because many of my friends could not understand the practical purpose of smashing atoms. In the book I have tried to make clear my feeling that the purpose of smashing atoms is not only the practical applications which arise as by-products; but also and more important, the deeper understanding that comes with increasing knowledge."

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Nick Touran @whatisnuclear.com · 03/02/2025

An incredible NUCLEAR-POWERED FLIGHT film is newly available online! This declassified film shows 30 minutes of detail from the major reactor development program at its peak, between 1956-1958. Thanks to Nuclear Talent Scout for sponsoring the scan. whatisnuclear.com/news/2025-02...

whatisnuclear.com

Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion: Manned Aircraft Progress Report — A declassified film about nuclear powered flight from 1961

This film presents the US effort to build a nuclear-powered long-range bomber. The program history and evolution is discussed, from the 1955 weapons system 125A to the 1956 re-evaluation and CAMAL con...

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Dr. Heather Williams @heatherwilly.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Come hang out with us on 11 Feb to talk about alliances, with a keynote from @acwlapsley.bsky.social NATO Asst SecGen on Defense Planning.

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Togzhan Kassenova @togzhankassenova.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

A post of appreciation for @lportwoodstacer.bsky.social. It doesn't matter if it's your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd book proposal, you will benefit from reading her book! In addition to being an author of a helpful book, Laura always contributes to the community. Follow her to hear about opportunities.

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues @poni.csis.org · 03/02/2025

🤔Do you have questions about the future of U.S. Alliances and Partnerships? Submit a question for the Q&A session of our upcoming virtual Winter Conference on 📆 February 11, 10am-4pm ET! forms.office.com/r/J9EvfySSyt

forms.office.com

Microsoft Forms

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Sergey Radchenko @radchenko.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

A rare KGB document from October 1969 that highlights the extent of Chinese concern about a potential Soviet nuclear strike on China. Recounts how Chinese diplomats in Moscow aired their worries to the Poles and tried to find out about possible disagreements on this subject among the Soviet leaders.

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John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D. @nuclearhistory.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

The site's back up for now, but this would be a good time for historians to download the entire FRUS series (or whichever volumes they might eventually need). 548 volumes are currently available in .epub and .mobi formats. history.state.gov/historicaldo...

history.state.gov

Ebooks - Office of the Historian

history.state.gov 3.0 shell

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John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D. @nuclearhistory.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Interested in learning about Europe's place in French nuclear thought over the years? Join me for PONI's 2025 Virtual Winter Conference on February 11th as I present "French Vital Interests in Europe: The Historical Foundations of a Strategic Dialogue". #nukesky

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

American Historical Association @historians.org · 23/01/2025

Read a summary of the AHA's report from the most comprehensive study of secondary US history education undertaken in the 21st century. The report provides empirical evidence and rigorous analysis to inform current debates over how history is taught in our schools. 🗃️

historians.org

What Are American Students Learning about US History? - AHA

Since 2020, a contentious debate over history education has generated outrage, wild claims, and a growing sense of alarm in homes and communities across the country. State legislators, school board me...

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Stanford CISAC @stanfordcisac.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Next week: "What Have Survey Experiments Taught Us About Decisions to Use Nuclear Weapons?" with Rose McDermott, @pslovic.bsky.social and Sharon Weiner. RSVP here⤵️ cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/events/what-...

cisac.fsi.stanford.edu

What Have Survey Experiments Taught Us About Decisions to Use Nuclear

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John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D. @nuclearhistory.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Many thanks to the staff of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Archives for their assistance last week. It is immensely satisfying when records from multiple archives begin to tell a story--in this case, regarding 1955's Operation Teapot.

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

National Security Archive @nsarchive.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

A new Electronic Briefing Book looks at newly declassified evidence on the "Nth Country Experiment," a secret US project in the 1960s to determine whether a team of physicists could produce a "credible nuclear weapon" using only open sources. nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-boo...

nsarchive.gwu.edu

Nuclear Proliferation and the “Nth Country Experiment”

Washington, D.C., January 23, 2025 - Today, the National Security Archive publishes newly declassified information on a secret mid-1960s project in which a handful of young physicists at Lawrence Live...

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Martin Whincup @whincupm.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

It's a reminder that the ubiquity of military experience among post-war actors meant many could draw on experience of life in uniform. James Stewart had a distinguished war record with the USAAF, not unlike the officer he'd play in STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND (1955). 🧵 6/11

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John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D. @nuclearhistory.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Today in wishful thinking: Jacques Chaban-Delmas tells John Foster Dulles that the Algerian War is "virtually over" and that France "would not try to go very far" in building nuclear weapons, 17 December 1957.

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John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D. @nuclearhistory.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Every visit to the archives offers a reminder that historical figures (here, John Foster Dulles) had a sense of humor, too.

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

American Historical Association @historians.org · 27/12/2024

Planning to attend AHA25 this January? Join us for an online orientation on Monday, December 30 at 12 pm ET. All are welcome, especially first-time annual meeting attendees. Participants will be able to ask questions about the meeting and meet staff. 🗃️

historians.org

Everything You Need to Know about the Annual Meeting: An Online Orientation – AHA

Planning to attend AHA25 this January? If yes, we hope you’ll join us for this online orientation on Monday, December 30, from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. ET. All are welcome, especially first-time annual mee...

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Dennis Yates 🇺🇸🇺🇦🌊 NAFO Fella @dennisyates.ddyates.com · 22/12/2024

Back in the day we had blast yield calculators and could report same to the sector operations center (for us, SOC III Sembach AB Ge). Paramount was to SURVIVE the nuclear strike. Always a bit macabre we'd say "oh look, we just got nuked...now where is that calculator?" www.orau.org/health-physi...

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Bill Geerhart @conelrad6401240.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

What not to do during a nuclear detonation according to the U.S. Army Soldier's Manual For Defense Against CBR Attack (1953).

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Dr. Erika Graham-Goering @jeanneologist.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

My department is advertising 3 doctoral positions in history and 1 in archaeology! Check out the calls below, circulate widely, and let me know if you have any questions about Oslo!

jobbnorge.no

Thee Doctoral Research Fellowships in History (271124) | University of Oslo

Job title: Thee Doctoral Research Fellowships in History (271124), Employer: University of Oslo, Deadline: Sunday, March 16, 2025

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

The Hindu @thehindu.com · 28/11/2024

The Indian Navy carried out the test firing of the 3,500 Km K-4 ballistic missile from the newly-inducted nuclear submarine INS Arighaat. www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...

thehindu.com

India tests K-4 nuclear-capable ballistic missile from nuclear submarine INS Arighaat

The Indian Navy carried out the test firing of the 3,500 Km K-4 ballistic missile from the newly-inducted nuclear submarine INS Arighaat on Novmber 28.

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John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D. @nuclearhistory.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Annual reminder that your local dump is closed on Thanksgiving...but that's not what I came to tell you about. www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaKI...

youtube.com

Alice's Restaurant Massacree

YouTube video by Arlo Guthrie - Topic

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

SNMMI Patient Connect @nucmed-patients.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Nuclear medicine is a cutting-edge field that’s quickly developing ways to see and treat diseases. But it has a long history that goes all the way back to the beginning of the 20th century. Here's some of the most historic moments in nuclear medicine. Where will we go next? 🧵

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Armée française - Opérations militaires @etatmajorfr.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

[#MondayMotivation 📸] Un ciel aussi bleu que celui vers lequel on s’est envolé… @bsky.app 🦋

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Reposted by John William Sutcliffe IV, Ph.D.

Yannick Pincé @yannickpince.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Comme chercheur au CIENS, j'ai été interrogé par Mickaël Bosredon de @20minutesonline.bsky.social à propos de notre dissuasion dans un conflit face à une grande puissance dans le contexte d'un possible désengagement des États-Unis. Soyons vigilants, pas de panique... www.20minutes.fr/societe/4118...

20minutes.fr

La France est-elle taillée pour un conflit face à une grande puissance ?

Spécialisée dans les opérations extérieures ces dernières années, l’armée française doit faire face à une évolution des menaces internationales, alors que l'élection de Donald Trump pourrait rebattre ...

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