Left to Right: Ann Curry, Ben Loeterman, Emma Belcher, Joel Rosenthal. CREDIT: Bryan Goldberg Photogrpahy.

L to R: Ann Curry, Ben Loeterman, Emma Belcher, Joel Rosenthal. CREDIT: Bryan Goldberg Photography.

Nuclear Ethics

May 22, 2026 86 min watch

We are walking a fraying nuclear tightrope. Russia, China, and the U.S. are expanding their nuclear capabilities; extended deterrence is strained to the breaking point; and proliferation among middle and smaller powers appears inevitable.

But as history has clearly shown, the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons are anything but hypothetical. The recently released PBS documentary Bombshell captures the human, political, and ethical toll of the bomb—both for its Japanese victims and for the United States, the democracy that chose to wield such destructive power—and the narratives constructed by America's leaders and media to justify its use.

This expert panel and Q&A, held in partnership with PBS, was moderated by acclaimed journalist Ann Curry as part of Carnegie Council's keynote public affairs series, Values & Interests.

Listen on Spotify or Apple.

Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs is an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit. The views expressed within this panel are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Carnegie Council.

You may also like

Nuclear mushroom cloud. CREDIT: Boxiang/Stock.adobe.com.

NOV 3, 2025 Report

Nuclear Complacency

Access a new report from Carnegie Council and The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation on the growing risk of nuclear complacency.

CREDIT: Abobe/hamara.

SEP 25, 2024 Article

Politico Op-Ed: Walking a Fraying Nuclear Tightrope

In a new op-ed, Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal argues that a recommitment to nuclear arms control is nothing short of a moral imperative.

Joel Rosenthal and James Story.

MAY 1, 2026 Video

U.S. Power and Principle

James Story, former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, visits Carnegie Council to discuss the new dynamic between American power and principle.

CREDIT: Eros Hoagland/Netflix/IMDB.

OCT 24, 2025 Article

Ethics on Film: Discussion of "A House of Dynamite"

This review of "A House of Dynamite" discusses the many ethical decisions facing leaders when a nuclear missile is launched at the United States.

Oppenheimer movie poster

AUG 1, 2023 Article

Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Oppenheimer"

This review explores ethical issues in the Oscar-winning film, including the morality of building the bomb, empathy for victims, and the Cold War arms race.