TGS Live: A Cold War Genius on Today’s Threats

<p>Support The Glenn Show at https://glennloury.substack.com</p><p>In this episode, in conversation with Robert Patton-Spruill, Mark Sussman, and Nikita Petrov, I provide an introduction to the life and work of Thomas Schelling and consider how a <strong>“Schellingesque”</strong> point of view might influence our interpretation of current events, like the <strong>Ukraine War</strong>, the <strong>“human shields”</strong> argument in <strong>Gaza</strong>, the Trump administration’s <strong>new national security strategy</strong>, <strong>nationalist and populist movements</strong> throughout the world, and <strong>nuclear deterrence today</strong>. We also talk about <strong>Schellingesque approaches to AI</strong>, but that segment of the conversation is available only to full subscribers. </p><p>The Glenn Show is almost entirely audience-supported. To gain access to all our content and to get all future premium and bonus content, <a href="https://glennloury.substack.com" target="_blank">become a full subscriber today</a>. Thank you to all free and full subscribers—I couldn't do what I do without you.</p><p><strong>Video Links</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro" target="_blank">0:00</a> Who was Thomas C. Schelling?</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro&#38;t=531s" target="_blank">8:51</a> The Schellingesque</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro&#38;t=802s" target="_blank">13:22</a> Ground News ad</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro&#38;t=905s" target="_blank">15:05</a> Battlefield commitment and signaling</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro&#38;t=1620s" target="_blank">27:00</a> How deterrence works</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro&#38;t=2114s" target="_blank">35:14</a> Schelling's role in conceptualizing Stanley Kubrick's film <em>Dr. Strangelove</em></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro&#38;t=2948s" target="_blank">49:08</a> Europe, Ukraine, and Trump's new national security strategy</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro&#38;t=3881s" target="_blank">1:04:41</a> Why does the US care about immigration in other nations?</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro&#38;t=4142s" target="_blank">1:09:02</a> Glenn: Bill Maher is either dishonest or wrong about asymmetrical war in Gaza</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro&#38;t=1074s" target="_blank">17:54</a> Schelling and Glenn on new nuclear powers</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEbMiHo5Ro&#38;t=5160s" target="_blank">1:26:00</a> The problem of self-command</p><p>Recorded December 12, 2025</p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://glennloury.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">glennloury.substack.com/subscribe</a>