Paul Nitze, the Cold War, and Defending American Ideals with James Graham Wilson | BRI Scholar Talks

In this episode of BRI Scholar Talks, historian and author James Graham Wilson joins host Tony Williams to examine the life and legacy of Paul Nitze, a key architect of Cold War national security policy.

Drawing from his book America’s Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan, Wilson explores how Nitze’s decades-long public service reflected a deep commitment to American ideals and the defense of liberty in the nuclear age. The conversation traces Nitze’s role in shaping NSC 68, the strategic response to Soviet aggression, and his enduring influence on arms control and diplomacy during the Reagan administration. Wilson and Williams also discuss the Cuban Missile Crisis, the broader Cold War context, and how Nitze's work underscores the importance of perseverance, principle, and strategic clarity in U.S. foreign policy.