Mickey and his guests examine the Russian invasion of Ukraine. First, author and activist Harvey Wasserman warns of the dangers of catastrophic radioactive contamination if one of Ukraine’s decrepit nuclear power plants is damaged in combat, or abandoned by its crews (not to mention Russia’s nuclear arsenal). Then historian Peter Kuznick returns to the program to look at the US/NATO conduct that partly set the stage for Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s actions while heavily criticizing both Putin and the current illegal attacks on Ukraine. He also examines how the war might yet be ended soon by diplomacy. Given the timely and fast changing nature of this matter, listeners should know these conversations were recorded February 24 and 25, 2022.
Notes:
Harvey Wasserman has been a clean-energy and anti-nuclear activist for decades. His recent article on the nuclear hazards in Ukraine, Chernobyl 2.0, was published at The Progressive. Peter Kuznick is Professor of History at American University in Washington DC, and also directs the Nuclear Studies Program at that institution. He and Oliver Stone wrote The Untold History of the United States.