Annie Jacobsen

Because the programs, the wars that we have fought since World War II have all been, you know, how many octogenarian sources have I interviewed? I'm talking about Nobel laureates and weapons designers and spy pilots and engineers in general. They've all said to me with great pride, you know, we prevented World War III, nuclear World War III, right? And

Because the programs, the wars that we have fought since World War II have all been, you know, how many octogenarian sources have I interviewed? I'm talking about Nobel laureates and weapons designers and spy pilots and engineers in general. They've all said to me with great pride, you know, we prevented World War III, nuclear World War III, right? And

Because the programs, the wars that we have fought since World War II have all been, you know, how many octogenarian sources have I interviewed? I'm talking about Nobel laureates and weapons designers and spy pilots and engineers in general. They've all said to me with great pride, you know, we prevented World War III, nuclear World War III, right? And

But that idea that the commander in chief and everyone within the national security apparatus should be making really good decisions about war. It's the oldest cliche in the world that, you know, the wars are fought by the young kids. And that is, it's not a cliche. It's true.

But that idea that the commander in chief and everyone within the national security apparatus should be making really good decisions about war. It's the oldest cliche in the world that, you know, the wars are fought by the young kids. And that is, it's not a cliche. It's true.

But that idea that the commander in chief and everyone within the national security apparatus should be making really good decisions about war. It's the oldest cliche in the world that, you know, the wars are fought by the young kids. And that is, it's not a cliche. It's true.

And so the character part about the president should be in play, whether we're thinking about nuclear war or any war, in my opinion.

And so the character part about the president should be in play, whether we're thinking about nuclear war or any war, in my opinion.

And so the character part about the president should be in play, whether we're thinking about nuclear war or any war, in my opinion.

Oh, no, it's on the president. The president has to make the call. And that six minute window happens so fast. I mean, the president is going to be being moved for part of that time. The Secret Service is going to be, you know, up against up against Stratcom, Stratcom saying we need launch.

Oh, no, it's on the president. The president has to make the call. And that six minute window happens so fast. I mean, the president is going to be being moved for part of that time. The Secret Service is going to be, you know, up against up against Stratcom, Stratcom saying we need launch.

Oh, no, it's on the president. The president has to make the call. And that six minute window happens so fast. I mean, the president is going to be being moved for part of that time. The Secret Service is going to be, you know, up against up against Stratcom, Stratcom saying we need launch.

You know, we need the launch orders and the Secret Service is going to be saying we need to move the president. So it's not as much that he's delegating the issues. It's more like the issue is being postponed because there is only one issue. for the president to say these targets, you know, for him to choose from the Denny's-like menu, okay, this is what we're going to go with.

You know, we need the launch orders and the Secret Service is going to be saying we need to move the president. So it's not as much that he's delegating the issues. It's more like the issue is being postponed because there is only one issue. for the president to say these targets, you know, for him to choose from the Denny's-like menu, okay, this is what we're going to go with.

You know, we need the launch orders and the Secret Service is going to be saying we need to move the president. So it's not as much that he's delegating the issues. It's more like the issue is being postponed because there is only one issue. for the president to say these targets, you know, for him to choose from the Denny's-like menu, okay, this is what we're going to go with.

And then this astonishing thing happens. The president pulls, you know, takes out his wallet. He has a card in it that's colloquially called the biscuit. And that card with the codes matches up an item in the briefcase in the football that that then is received by an officer underneath the Pentagon in that bunker. It's a call and response, Lex. It's like, you know, Alpha Zeta, right? That's it.

And then this astonishing thing happens. The president pulls, you know, takes out his wallet. He has a card in it that's colloquially called the biscuit. And that card with the codes matches up an item in the briefcase in the football that that then is received by an officer underneath the Pentagon in that bunker. It's a call and response, Lex. It's like, you know, Alpha Zeta, right? That's it.

And then this astonishing thing happens. The president pulls, you know, takes out his wallet. He has a card in it that's colloquially called the biscuit. And that card with the codes matches up an item in the briefcase in the football that that then is received by an officer underneath the Pentagon in that bunker. It's a call and response, Lex. It's like, you know, Alpha Zeta, right? That's it.

And then back so that the individual in the bunker realizes they are getting the command from the president. And then that order is passed to STRATCOM. And STRATCOM, the commander of STRATCOM, and I interviewed a former commander of STRATCOM, commander of STRATCOM then follows orders, which is he delivers the launch orders to the nuclear triad. And what's done is done.

And then back so that the individual in the bunker realizes they are getting the command from the president. And then that order is passed to STRATCOM. And STRATCOM, the commander of STRATCOM, and I interviewed a former commander of STRATCOM, commander of STRATCOM then follows orders, which is he delivers the launch orders to the nuclear triad. And what's done is done.