#227 - Gideon Rachman - How World War 3 Could Start by Accident

Why does the world feel more dangerous at a time of extraordinary technological progress? Gideon Rachman joins me to discuss his book, War Is Interested in You, and the return of leaders driven by territory, personal glory and their place in history. We explore Putin’s ambitions in Ukraine, the pressures on NATO, Trump’s decisions over Iran and how miscalculation could turn regional conflicts into something much bigger.

Gideon explains why the risk of a wider war has risen, while arguing that World War III is neither inevitable nor highly likely. We also discuss nuclear deterrence, the cost of conflict for ordinary people, Britain’s weak growth, rising taxes and debt and what AI could mean for jobs and the next generation.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Why Aren't We Living In The Best Of Times?

00:02:53 - All Prime Ministers Eventually Go Mad

00:04:44 - Why It Gets Dangerous To Step Down

00:06:09 - The Table, The Generals And The Grovelling

00:09:43 - How Bad Policy Actually Happens

00:12:03 - We're Being Told To Prep

00:14:21 - Closer To World War Three Than Ever

00:18:34 - Why Would We Even Get Involved?

00:20:45 - Is Any Of This In Russia's Interest?

00:24:53 - Is There A Path To Peace?

00:29:24 - War By Accident

00:32:26 - What Would Actually Make It A World War?

00:34:33 - Every War Starts With A Miscalculation

00:38:55 - Would You Really Fire Back?

00:41:21 - The Letters Of Last Resort

00:43:48 - The Night They Thought Russia Would Go Nuclear

00:50:20 - What Is The Logic Of The Iran War?

00:56:20 - They're Briefing Congress On The Next Strike

01:02:09 - There Is Just No Money

01:10:25 - We Are Handing Our Children The Bill

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CONNECT WITH GIDEON RACHMAN

› War Is Interested In You – https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/475001/war-is-interested-in-you-by-rachman-gideon/9781529969825

› Financial Times – https://www.ft.com/gideon-rachman

› The Rachman Review – https://www.ft.com/rachman-review

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