The Nuclear Threat From Space | Bill Hennigan

The Nuclear Threat From Space | Bill Hennigan

Author: Global Dispatches May 19, 2025 Duration: 18:25

What would actually happen if a nuclear weapon were detonated in space?

This isn't just the stuff of science fiction — it's a scenario that researchers have studied closely, and the implications are deeply unsettling. From disrupting satellite a nuclear detonation in space would have immediate, global consequences — even without a single casualty on the ground.

In today's episode, we're exploring how our growing dependence on space-based infrastructure — for communications, surveillance, and national security — is changing the conventional calculus around nuclear deterrence.

How are major nuclear powers, including Russia, responding to this shifting landscape? Are we on the verge of a space-based nuclear arms race? And what can be done now to preserve space as a peaceful domain?

My guest is Bill Hennigan, author of the At the Brink series, which   We recorded this conversation live at the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference — and it's a fascinating look into how the nuclear order may be evolving in ways that are still underappreciated.


For years, Global Dispatches--World News That Matters has carved out a unique space, going beyond the headlines to explore the forces and figures shaping our world. This isn't about rapid-fire soundbites; it's a series of substantive conversations with the people directly involved-diplomats negotiating treaties, reporters on the ground in conflict zones, and scholars analyzing long-term trends in global development and international relations. The discussions delve into the "why" behind the news, providing context that is often missing from daily reporting. Recognized by The Guardian as a podcast designed to make you smarter, it serves an audience that feels underserved by superficial summaries. Each episode is built on the premise that complex events deserve nuanced explanation. By listening, you gain access to a clearer, more informed perspective on pivotal issues, from geopolitical shifts to humanitarian crises. The podcast’s longevity as an independent program speaks to its consistent quality and dedicated following. Tune in for a deeper, more thoughtful analysis of the stories that truly matter, presented through the voices of those who know them best.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters
Podcast Episodes
What Americans Really Think About Foreign Policy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:02
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs has been tracking American views on foreign policy since the end of the Vietnam War. Last week, it released its 2025 survey—and the results point to a widening partisan divide on som…
Civil War Has Returned to South Sudan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:31
For the past year and a half, South Sudan has been on the brink of a new civil war. A 2018 peace deal that ended the last civil war has been faltering, while the war across the border in Sudan has threatened to spill sou…
One Year On: What Have Trump's HIV/AIDS Cuts Cost The World? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:17
One year ago, the United States was winning the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Thanks largely to American leadership, infections and deaths from HIV/AIDS have dropped precipitously over the past 20 years, ever since the…
Why a U.S. Strike Against Iran May Backfire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:01
Protests sweeping Iran are unlike anything the regime has faced since coming to power in 1979. What began as demonstrations by shopkeepers in Tehran over the sharply devalued Iranian rial quickly morphed into sustained,…
The View from Denmark as Trump Threatens Greenland | Søren Lippert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:13
Danes are reeling from the aggressive nature of Donald Trump's designs on Greenland — but there is little they can do to stop the United States from acquiring the territory, whether by force or coercion. This is an odd p…
How China is Responding to the "Donroe Doctrine" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:38
I'm joined by one of my favorite fellow podcasters and Substackers, Kaiser Kuo, host of the long-running Sinica Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation on China, Venezuela, and America's shifting role in the world. We s…