The game theory that led to nuclear standoffs

The Indicator from Planet Money

Last week, Vladimir Putin vowed to make new nuclear weapons and consider placing them close to NATO countries. Meanwhile, here in the US, the government boosted its nuclear weapon spending by 18% between 2022 and 2023.
The world is closer to nuclear war than it's been in at least forty years.
Today on the show: The game theory of nuclear war. When can mathematical models help us, and when can they lead us astray ... even to the brink of destruction?
Guest Kelly Clancy's book is Playing With Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World.
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How to get Russia to pay Ukraine
Congressional game theory
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