The Soviet Union came perilously close to launching a nuclear strike on the U.S. in 1983

At the height of the Cold War, Soviet satellites reported that the United States had launched a nuclear missile toward Moscow, and one officer had only minutes to decide whether to initiate a counterstrike. In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll learn about some nuclear close calls between the superpowers that came to light only decades after they occurred.

We'll also hear listeners' input about crescent moons and newcomers to India, and puzzle over the fatal consequences of a man's departure from his job.

Show notes

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