‘The Day After’ Director Nicholas Meyer to Exec Produce Daniel Ellsberg Documentary ‘How to Stop Nuclear War’

‘The Day After’ Director Nicholas Meyer to Exec Produce Daniel Ellsberg Documentary ‘How to Stop Nuclear War’

“We’re going to blow ourselves to kingdom come,” the ‘Star Trek’ franchise director warns, 40 years after his ABC TV movie terrified viewers when it depicted a fictional nuclear war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Oppenheimer: U.S. Developed First-Strike Weapon and Used Japan to Prove it – Kuznick and Jay
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Oppenheimer: U.S. Developed First-Strike Weapon and Used Japan to Prove it – Kuznick and Jay

Oppenheimer is a creative tour de force that sparks a necessary debate about today’s nuclear weapons. U.S. media still defends the false justification for a nuclear attack on Japan and the “first strike” underpinnings of U.S. policy. Peter Kuznick in discussion with Paul Jay.

“The Most Dangerous Man” Turns 90 – Peter Kuznick on Daniel Ellsberg

“The Most Dangerous Man” Turns 90 – Peter Kuznick on Daniel Ellsberg

On the occasion of the death of Daniel Ellsberg, we republish our interview with historian Peter Kuznick who looks at the significance of Ellsberg’s fight against America’s insane nuclear war strategy, his exposure of the lies of the Vietnam War and his continuing fight against the American war machine.

To His Last Breath, Daniel Ellsberg Fought to Save the World 

To His Last Breath, Daniel Ellsberg Fought to Save the World 

Daniel Ellsberg, an extraordinary hero, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023. Dan fearlessly risked everything in his unwavering quest for social justice and opposition to war. He was not only a cherished friend but also a guiding light for me and countless others. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to engage in extensive interviews with Dan while working on our film, “How to Stop a Nuclear War.” I will miss his wisdom and radiant smile, but his warning to the world will be delivered. Please click to watch our interview on the occasion of Dan’s 90th birthday and a collection of our interviews. – Paul Jay 

Part 2/2 – Chomsky on Ellsberg and the Danger of Nuclear War

Part 2/2 – Chomsky on Ellsberg and the Danger of Nuclear War

Noam Chomsky discusses the history of nuclear agreements and arms control treaties, highlighting their gradual dismantling by successive U.S. administrations. He criticizes the U.S. for its withdrawal from treaties and the deployment of military assets near Russian borders. Chomsky also expresses concerns about the dangers of artificial intelligence and the need to address larger-scale threats while working on immediate issues. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the world as it is and taking tactical decisions to achieve tangible progress.

Chomsky on Ellsberg and the Danger of Nuclear War – pt 1/2

Chomsky on Ellsberg and the Danger of Nuclear War – pt 1/2

Noam Chomsky discusses the heroic contributions Daniel Ellsberg made by releasing the Pentagon Papers and revealing the madness of American nuclear war plans. Ellsberg uncovered shocking information about the planning for nuclear war in the 1950s, during his time within the system and with high-level access. He revealed details about the planning documents and the existence of a “Doomsday Machine,” a system designed by both the United States and Russia that would ensure total destruction in the event of communication failure. He also discovered the delegation of authority to launch nuclear wars, with lower-level military officials interpreting instructions in a way that allowed them to initiate nuclear bombings.

Class and the War in Ukraine – Paul Jay (pt 1/3)
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Class and the War in Ukraine – Paul Jay (pt 1/3)

Paul Jay is back to speak about the war in Ukraine, the irrevocable effects of climate change, and the ever-present but often downplayed danger of nuclear warfare. He explains how the transnational capitalist elite continue to benefit from the war at the expense of the average Ukrainian and Russian worker. He also speaks about his new documentary film project on nuclear winter and his recent trip to visit political activist Daniel Ellsberg, whose insights on the Cuban Missile Crisis and potential human error leading to nuclear confrontation are heavily featured in the film. This is part one of a three-part series.

A Warning From Chomsky and Ellsberg
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A Warning From Chomsky and Ellsberg

“It’s beyond lunacy,” say Noam Chomsky and Daniel Ellsberg. In their 90s, the two men tirelessly fight to warn people of the need for urgent action to deal with climate change and the threat of nuclear war. Joining Paul Jay, they discuss the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the war in Ukraine, and the climate crisis.

Ellsberg on Milley, China and the Danger of Nuclear War
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Ellsberg on Milley, China and the Danger of Nuclear War

In a commentary, Daniel Ellsberg explains that Gen. Milley’s call to China may have prevented a near catastrophe, as happened in 1983 when the Soviet Union believed Reagan had gone mad and planned a first strike. He calls for a fundamental change in U.S. nuclear strategy.

Convert Military to Green Production, or Perish  – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 13/13
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Convert Military to Green Production, or Perish – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 13/13

A massive reduction in ICBM’s and transforming the economy away from the military-industrial complex are prerequisites for our survival – says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 29, 2018, with Paul Jay.

Dismantle the American Doomsday Machine –  Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 12/13
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Dismantle the American Doomsday Machine – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 12/13

Congress should hold hearings into nuclear winter and eliminating the hair-trigger and obsolete ICBM’s – says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 27, 2018, with Paul Jay.

The Doomsday Machine and Nuclear Winter – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 11/13
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The Doomsday Machine and Nuclear Winter – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 11/13

An H-Bomb first strike will create firestorms and smoke that ends most human life; this is a fact ignored by military planners and by the Trump administration which doesn’t believe in climate science – says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 23, 2018, with Paul Jay.

A Strategy of War Crimes, Killing Civilians to Win a War –  Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 10/13
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A Strategy of War Crimes, Killing Civilians to Win a War – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 10/13

General Curtis LeMay, who directed the firebombing and nuclear attacks on Japan said, “War is killing people, when you kill enough of them, the other guy quits” – quotes Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 21, 2018, with Paul Jay.

The Discovery That Should Have Changed the Cold War  – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 9/13
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The Discovery That Should Have Changed the Cold War – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 9/13

In 1958, then Senator John F. Kennedy claimed there was a “missile gap”, saying the USSR was far ahead in ICBM weapons; when satellite photos showed the astounding true number, it meant the USSR did not have plans for global domination, but it remained a secret, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 19, 2018, with Paul Jay.

Once Fired, There’s No Calling a Nuke Back – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 8/13
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Once Fired, There’s No Calling a Nuke Back – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 8/13

There are many fingers on the nuclear missile’s trigger and once an attack begins, even the President can’t order it reversed, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 15, 2018, with Paul Jay.

U.S. Refuses to Adopt a Nuclear Weapon No First Use Pledge  – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI 7/13
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U.S. Refuses to Adopt a Nuclear Weapon No First Use Pledge – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI 7/13

Every President since Truman has used a nuclear first strike threat as leverage in U.S. foreign policy; it’s institutional insanity says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 12, 2018, with Paul Jay.

U.S.  Planned Nuclear First Strike to Destroy Soviets and China – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 6/13
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U.S. Planned Nuclear First Strike to Destroy Soviets and China – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 6/13

U.S. cold-war nuclear plan called for all-out attack on China, even if it was not involved in the war, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 9, 2018, with Paul Jay.

Russian Doomsday Machine an Answer to U.S.  Decapitation Strategy – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 5/13
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Russian Doomsday Machine an Answer to U.S. Decapitation Strategy – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 5/13

The U.S. military still thinks that a nuclear war can be won by targeting Russian leadership in a bizarre Dr. Strangelove logic; it’s a recipe for unmitigated catastrophe, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 4, 2018, with Paul Jay.

The Largest Act of Terrorism in Human History – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 4/13
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The Largest Act of Terrorism in Human History – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 4/13

The British bombing of Hamburg in 1942, and the American firebombing of Japan in March 1945 that killed as many as 120,000 people in one night, created the conditions for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which were considered mere extensions of the firebombing tactics, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 4, 2018, with Paul Jay.

Truman Delayed End of WWII to Demonstrate Nuclear Weapons – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI  Pt 3/13
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Truman Delayed End of WWII to Demonstrate Nuclear Weapons – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 3/13

To intimidate the Soviet Union and prove to Congress the nuclear program should be funded, Truman dropped nuclear weapons on Japan to end the war; no scientist came forward to warn of the dangers to life on earth, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 2, 2018, with Paul Jay.

Hitler Wouldn’t Risk Doomsday, But The United States Did –  Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 2/13
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Hitler Wouldn’t Risk Doomsday, But The United States Did – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 2/13

Hitler ended the German nuclear weapons program in 1942 when told it could end life on Earth—the Americans were willing to take the risk; since the end of WWII the Cold War was to a very large extent, from beginning to end, a marketing campaign for subsidization of the aerospace industry, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced October 31, 2018, with Paul Jay.

The Doomsday Machine: The Big Lie of the Cold War  – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 1/13
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The Doomsday Machine: The Big Lie of the Cold War – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI Pt 1/13

On Reality Asserts Itself, Daniel Ellsberg tells host Paul Jay that US intelligence agencies knew that Stalin was not planning to invade Western Europe or seek world domination, but based on the myth, the world came close to nuclear war – and it’s all happening again.

In Hiroshima, Obama Neglects to Mention $1 Trillion Deal for Nuclear Weapons – Kuznick RAI (pt 2/2)
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In Hiroshima, Obama Neglects to Mention $1 Trillion Deal for Nuclear Weapons – Kuznick RAI (pt 2/2)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on June 10, 2016. Peter Kuznick, the co-author of The Untold History of the United States, spoke to Paul Jay about the significance of the vice presidency of Henry Wallace, who served in the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the context of the Bernie Sanders campaign.

Obama’s Defense of Hiroshima Mythology – RAI with Peter Kuznick (pt 1/2)
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Obama’s Defense of Hiroshima Mythology – RAI with Peter Kuznick (pt 1/2)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on June 6, 2016. President Obama is defending the mythology that dropping atomic bombings on Hiroshima ended World War 2 and avoided a ground invasion by US troops, said award-winning historian Peter Kuznick.