Gordon Chang discusses the significant threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party under Xi Jinping. They explore China's imperial ambitions, the mindset of its leadership, the implications for Taiwan, and the potential for conflict. Gordon also delves into China's nuclear ambitions and the ongoing warfare through means such as fentanyl trafficking, emphasizing the need for Americans to recognize and respond to these threats.

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Tristan Tang discusses Taiwan's security dilemma in the face of increasing threats from China. The conversation explores the Taiwanese perspective on military preparedness, defense spending, and the expectations of U.S. support in the event of a conflict. Tristan shares insights on the societal attitudes towards the threat of invasion, the military strategies being employed, and the potential consequences of a Chinese takeover. The discussion concludes with Tristan's wishes for Taiwan's future, emphasizing the need for peace, political harmony, and strong U.S. military presence in the region.

K. Tristan Tang is an associate fellow at the Research Project on China’s Defense Affairs, Secure Taiwan Associate Corporation, and a member of the Pacific Forum’s Young Leaders Program. His research focuses on China’s defense industry and the People’s Liberation Army. His work has appeared in the U.S. Naval War College’s CMSI Note, U.S. Air University’s Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, the Jamestown Foundation’s China Brief, the Pacific Forum’s PacNet, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s The Strategist, and The Diplomat. He frequently posts overview maps of PLA activities around Taiwan and across the Pacific on X (@KTristanTang) and LinkedIn. He is also the founder of KTT’s wargame, a popular science simulation of cross-strait conflict scenarios designed for non-military experts and the general public.

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In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Dr. Rich Tighe, the president and CEO of Consolidated Nuclear Security, discussing the current operations and future outlook of the Y-12 National Security Complex. Rich explains the complex's historical significance, its current missions, and the challenges it faces in workforce recruitment and safety. The conversation also touches on modernization efforts, collaboration with design agencies, and the importance of community support. Rich shares his aspirations for the future, including the need for continued growth and innovation in nuclear security.

Richard (Rich) Tighe is president and chief executive officer of Consolidated Nuclear Security, the Bechtel led management and operating contractor for the Y 12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with a workforce of approximately 9,500. Tighe (pronounced “tie”) joined CNS in September 2022, and led the company through the separation of the Pantex Plant from CNS’s management and operating contract.

Before the separation, Tighe led a combined 13,500 employees through significant growth and record performance. As the National Nuclear Security Administration mission and project scope grew at the sites, CNS met all deliverables to the military under Tighe’s leadership. Additionally, during his tenure, CNS added more than 1,500 team members, including engineers, scientists, professional staff, and craft workers, and both sites improved safety performance, achieving more than 12.6 million consecutive hours without a lost time injury. Under Tighe’s leadership, CNS has been awarded a 2-year contract extension at Y-12.

Before joining CNS, Tighe served for nearly 4 years as president and general manager of National Aerospace Solutions (NAS), the Bechtel-led test operations and sustainment contractor for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base near Tullahoma,

Tennessee. He also was manager of strategy, marketing, and business development for Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security, and Environmental global business unit, an $8 billion business. He served as the NS&E representative to the Bechtel Group Marketing and Business Development Committee and represented Bechtel on the board of managers for NAS and Kwajalein Range Services.

Tighe joined Bechtel in 2006 as marketing and business development manager; he was elected principal vice president in 2016 and senior vice president in 2023. Before his service with Bechtel, Tighe worked for Lockheed Martin at the Nevada Test Site for more than a decade, holding several scientific and management posts and ultimately advancing to assistant general manager for high-hazard test and evaluation.

Tighe was a postdoctoral fellow in the Nuclear Science Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California.

He earned a Ph.D. in experimental nuclear physics from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, and a B.S. in physics from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

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General Tom Bussiere, the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, discusses the modernization of the nuclear triad, including the challenges and progress of the Sentinel system, updates on the B-21 program, and the importance of long-range stand-off capabilities. He emphasizes the need for support and understanding of the nuclear enterprise and shares insights on recent operations and future goals. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere is Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Commander, Air Forces Strategic - Air, U.S. Strategic Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC provides strategic deterrence, global strike capability, and combat support to USSTRATCOM and other geographic combatant commands. The command is comprised of more than 33,700 professionals operating at two numbered air forces; 12 active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve wings; and the Joint Global Strike Operations Center. Weapons systems assigned to AFGSC include all U.S. Air Force intercontinental ballistic missiles and bomber aircraft, UH-1N helicopters, E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft, and the U.S. Air Force NC3 weapons system.

Gen. Bussiere is a 1985 distinguished graduate of Air Force ROTC from Norwich University. He has held a variety of flying, staff and command assignments including the Deputy Director for Nuclear, Homeland Defense and Current Operations, Joint Staff; Inspector General, Headquarters, AFGSC; Advanced Programs Division, Headquarters, Air Combat Command and duty as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Multi-National Force-Iraq, Camp Victory, Baghdad. He commanded the 325th Bomb Squadron, 13th Bomb Squadron, 509th Operations Group and the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. He also served as the Commander, Alaskan Command, United States Northern Command; Commander, Eleventh Air Force, Pacific Air Forces; and Commander, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Commander, Eighth Air Force; Commander, Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and Commander, Joint Functional Component for Global Strike; Commander, Task Force 204, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Gen. Bussiere is a graduate of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies and the U.S. Army War College Advanced Strategic Arts Program. Prior to his current position, Gen. Bussiere served as Deputy Commander, USSTRATCOM.

Gen. Bussiere is a command pilot with more than 3,400 hours in the T-38 Talon, F-15C Eagle, B-2A Spirit, B-1B Lancer and F-22 Raptor. He led F-15C combat missions during operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior and B-2 combat missions during operations Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom.

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In this episode of NucleCast, Gibum Kim from the Korean Institute for Defense Analysis to discuss the recent political changes in South Korea, particularly the impact of the new Democratic Party leadership on foreign policy, especially regarding North Korea and the US-South Korea alliance. They explore the philosophical differences between the political parties regarding denuclearization, the future of the US-South Korea alliance, and the challenges posed by China. The conversation concludes with Gi-bum's wishes for the future of South Korea's security and international relations.

Gibum KIM is an associate research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA). He leads the Current Issues Team under the Future Strategy Office. Before becoming the Team Lead, his research focused on issues pertaining to the ROK-U.S. alliance, U.S. nuclear strategy and extended deterrence, and defense space strategy at the Center for Security and Strategy. He was formerly a research associate at both the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Center for Foreign Policy and National Security of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies (AIPS) in Seoul. Mr. Kim was a member of the Pacific Forum Young Leaders Program from 2014 to 2019. He earned both an MA and BA in Political Science at the College of Political Science and Economics, Korea University, and is pursuing his doctoral degree at his alma mater. His research interests include issues related to nuclear strategy, nonproliferation, alliance politics, defense space strategy, and multilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

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In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam speaks with Matthew Loh, a defense reporter from Singapore, about the complex geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia, particularly regarding Singapore's relationship with China and the United States. Loh provides insights into Singapore's unique position as a small but strategically important nation, navigating its ties with major powers while maintaining a neutral stance. The conversation explores Singapore's military reliance on the US, the potential risks of conflict over Taiwan, and the implications of China's ambitions in the region. Loh also shares his wishes for Singapore's future, emphasizing the need for public education on geopolitics and the importance of stability in a rapidly changing world.

Matthew Loh is a senior reporter for Business Insider's Singapore bureau. He primarily covers defense in Asia and how innovation is shaping the war in Ukraine. A Singaporean citizen, he spent eight years in China between 2008 and 2014.

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In this episode of NucleCast, Brent Sadler discusses the current state of the U.S. Navy, focusing on shipbuilding challenges, the need for increased capacity, and the implications of China's naval expansion. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration with allies, the role of government in revitalizing the shipbuilding industry, and the strengths and weaknesses of both the U.S. and Chinese naval forces. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure U.S. maritime readiness in the face of potential conflicts.

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In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Michael Casey, a former DIA analyst, about the modernization of China's military, particularly its command-and-control systems and nuclear strategy. They discuss the evolution of China's military capabilities, the challenges it faces in integrating new technologies, and the implications of its ambitions for global dominance. The conversation also touches on the potential risks of AI in military applications and the need for greater focus on C4ISR issues in defense analysis.

Michael Casey is a defense technology consultant and the author of the 'Orders and Observations' Substack, where he provides in-depth analysis of the Chinese military. He previously served for eight years as a Defense Intelligence Agency intelligence officer, focusing on PLA C4ISR, space systems, and emerging technologies. He is a specialist in Mandarin-language open-source intelligence and has briefed senior leaders across the Department of Defense and the U.S. government on Chinese military modernization.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Michael Casey and C4ISR

02:04 China's Military Modernization and Command Control

07:30 Challenges in Chinese Nuclear Command and Control

14:48 Shifts in China's Nuclear Strategy

18:56 China's Global Ambitions and Strategic Goals

21:25 Potential Challenges and Internal Dynamics

27:03 Wishes for the Future of Global Security

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In this Legacy Series episode of NucleCast, Adam speaks with General Paul Tibbets IV, the grandson of the pilot who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. They discuss the historical significance of the event, the life and legacy of General Tibbets, the preparation and execution of the mission, and the impact of nuclear weapons on warfare. The conversation also touches on the importance of educating future generations about World War II and the necessity of a strong nuclear deterrent.

Paul W. Tibbets IV received his commission through the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989. Following graduation, he served in a variety of operational assignments as a B-1 and B-2 pilot. The general commanded the 393rd Bomb Squadron and 509th Bomb Wing, both commanded by his grandfather during World War II. He flew combat missions in support of operations in Southwest Asia, the Balkans and Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. Paul retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Brigadier General with more than 4,000 flying hours after nearly 30 years of service.

Paul is currently the President and Owner of Strike Advanced Solutions, LLC, as an Independent Consultant. He also works for KBR Corporation as a Senior Manager and Portfolio Lead for Global Strike, based at Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, LA.

Additionally, Paul is a First Officer for FedEx Express, flying the B-777.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Legacy of Hiroshima

02:34 The Life and Legacy of General Paul Tibbets

05:37 The Preparation for the Mission

08:15 Challenges and Innovations in Training

11:14 The Day of the Mission

13:51 The Execution of the Bombing

16:36 Reflections on the Aftermath

19:40 The Second Bombing Mission

22:16 The Impact of Nuclear Weapons on Warfare

24:56 Final Thoughts and Wishes for the Future

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In this episode, Adam interviews Pranay Vaddi, who shares his experiences working at the National Security Council (NSC) and his insights into nuclear policy and arms control. Vaddi discusses the daily operations at the NSC, the challenges of elevating nuclear issues within the government, and the importance of collaboration among various agencies. He also reflects on the evolution of the NSC, the dynamics of working within the bureaucracy, and the demanding nature of the job. Vaddi emphasizes the need for future leaders to engage in discussions and share their ideas to address pressing national security challenges.

Pranay Vaddi is currently a Senior Nuclear Fellow in the Center for Nuclear Security Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From May 2022 to January 2025, he served as Special Assistant to President Biden and Senior Director for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation at the National Security Council. Prior to this, he served as a senior advisor in the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance at the Department of State, where coordinated the Department’s inputs for the Biden Nuclear Posture Review. Previously, he was a fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where his research focused on U.S. nuclear posture, arms control policy, and Congress' role in arms control. He served for several years at the U.S. Department of State coordinating policy on the New START and INF treaties, and joined numerous arms control delegations. He has testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and before the congressional U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

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