The Story

Putin’s “nuclear blackmail”

The decision by the US to allow Ukraine to launch western long-range missiles into Russia has provoked a furious reaction from Moscow, and pushed tensions with Ukraine’s western backers even higher. In response, the Kremlin has updated its military doctrine to lower the threshold for using nuclear weapons, provoking fears of a new Cold War, or even a nuclear confrontation. How worried should we be?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: <a href="http://thetimes.com/thestory" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://thetimes.com/thestory</a>Guests: Edward Lucas, Times columnist and Senior Vice-President at the Centre for European Policy AnalysisLt Gen Ben Hodges (US Army, Ret’d), Former Commander of U.S. Army forces in EuropeHost: Manveen RanaClips: Times Radio; BTTV; US DoD/RAND; PBSPhoto: Getty ImagesGet in touch: <a href="mailto:thestory@thetimes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">thestory@thetimes.com</a> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

The Story: the flagship podcast from The Times and Sunday Times. One remarkable story, told in depth, each day. Hosts Manveen Rana and Luke Jones take you to the heart of the story you need to know with exclusive reports and investigations. Plus, each month, William Hague hosts an agenda-setting interview with a key newsmaker or thinker. Discover the story behind the story with world-class journalism from The Times and Sunday Times. The Story is available at the start of your day from Monday to Friday, with bonus ‘Inside the Newsroom’ episodes every Saturday for Times subscribers, available by connecting your subscription via Apple Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.