Executive Decision

Executive Decision is a podcast that looks at some of the most significant presidential decisions in American history: Why they happened; how they happened; and what they ultimately tell us about the process of decision making. This is Part Three, Episode Three: FDR and the Lend Lease Decision. It reviews how FDR moved the Lend Lease decision through Congress, and summarizes FDR's decision making process.

Executive Decision is a podcast that looks at some of the most significant presidential decisions in American history: Why they happened; how they happened; and what they ultimately tell us about the process of decision making. This is Part Two, Episode Three: Lend Lease and the Decision to Intervene in WWII. It reviews the isolationist movement, the pacifist movement, and FDR's efforts to work around this political opposition and provide aid to Great Britain after the start of WWII.

In 1940, the Nazis overwhelmed the continent of Europe and left England isolated on its island across the Channel. Norway was conquered in eight weeks; France in six. Denmark had been absorbed in six hours. Most in America thought Britain would fall as quickly as had France or Norway. Everyone, save Franklin Roosevelt. This is Part One, Episode Three: FDR and the Lend Lease Decision. It reviews how FDR gradually came to understand the threat of Nazism, and how he came to develop a plan for addressing it, in the face of substantial political opposition.

Executive Decision is the podcast that reviews some of the most significant decisions in history: why they happened; how they happened; and what they ultimately tell us about the process of decision making. In part three of this episode, on Harry S Truman and the decision to drop the atom bomb, we analyze the alternatives to using the bomb and the recommendations of the Interim Committee, and contrast Truman's decision in WWII to those regarding the use of the bomb in the Korean War.

Executive Decision is the podcast that reviews some of the most significant decisions in history: why they happened; how they happened; and what they ultimately tell us about the process of decision making. In part two of this episode, on Harry S Truman and the decision to drop the atom bomb, we analyze the historical axioms that Truman used to build consensus with FDR's cabinet, and how those axioms determined the approach the government took towards the atomic bomb.

In Episode two of Executive Decision, the podcast that reviews the great decisions in presidential history, we look at Harry S Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on two cities in Japan during World War II. This first part of the three part episode analyzes Truman's background in WWI, the machine politics of Missouri, and the New Deal. It also contrasts his decision making process with that of Franklin Roosevelt, who left him no guide for the awesome decisions he would be forced to make.

The third part of our episode on the Cuban Missile Crisis and John F. Kennedy's decisions during that crisis looks at how Kennedy made the choices he made, and why his deep skepticism of the military, drawn from his study of history and his experience in the Navy, influenced his approach.

This podcast reviews the decisions President John F. Kennedy made to respond to the Cuban Missile Crisis--a crisis he inadvertently provoked. It features archival recordings of the Excom committee--the committee that advised Kennedy to the successful resolution of the crisis.

This podcast reviews the decisions President John F. Kennedy made to respond to the Cuban Missile Crisis--a crisis he inadvertently provoked. It features archival recordings of the Excom committee--the group that advised Kennedy to the successful resolution of the crisis.

Executive Decision is a podcast that looks at some of the most significant presidential decisions in American history: Why they happened; how they happened; and what they ultimately tell us about the process of decision making. This is part two, episode one: John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Twenty-Seven October, 1962. The Soviet submarine B-59 has been hounded by surface craft from the US Navy for days. Zigging and zagging through the deep waters of the Caribbean near Cuba, the sub cannot shake its pursuers. They've been out of touch with Moscow for days; when they last checked in, it seemed like war with the United States was imminent. Now the ships above them are dropping depth charges. One by one they explode, the concussion ringing through the submarine. The sub's batteries are running low; the air conditioning has failed, and the ship is sweltering with the blows. Captain Valentin Savitsky makes a decision, and orders a nuclear tripped torpedo into the bay. The target: the aircraft carrier USS Randolph, one of eleven ships in the flotilla harassing the B-59...

This podcast reviews the decisions President John F. Kennedy made to respond to the Cuban Missile Crisis--a crisis he inadvertently provoked. It feature archival recordings of the Excom committee--the committee that advised Kennedy to the successful resolution of the crisis.

This podcast preview looks at the decisions President John F. Kennedy made to respond to the Cuban Missile Crisis--a crisis he inadvertently provoked. It features archival recordings of the Excom committee--the committee that advised Kennedy to the successful resolution of the crisis.