The Online Search Wars

$What Are Tactical Nuclear Weapons, and What if Russia Uses Them?: If President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia follows through on his threats to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, he is likely to turn to a specific type. Tactical nuclear weapons have a fraction of the strength of the Hiroshima bomb and of the super bombs and city busters that people worried about during the Cold War. What exactly are these weapons, how did they develop and what would it mean if Mr. Putin resorted to them in the war in Ukraine? Guest: William J. Broad, a science reporter and senior writer for The New York Times.$

Is College Worth It?: New research and polling show that more and more Americans now doubt a previously unquestioned fact of U.S. life — that going to college is worth it. Paul Tough, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, explains why so many high-school students and their parents are souring on higher education and what it will mean for the country’s future. Guest: Paul Tough, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine who has written several books on inequality in education. by The Daily

29 min listen

The Alarming Findings Inside a Mass Shooter’s Brain: Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence and self harm. Last fall, an Army reservist killed 18 people at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, before turning the gun on himself. Dave Philipps, who covers military affairs for The Times, had already been investigating the idea that soldiers could be injured just by firing their own weapons. Analyzing the case of the gunman in Lewiston, Dave explains, could change our understanding of the effects of modern warfare on the human brain. Guest: Dave Philipps, who covers war, the military and veterans for The New York Times. by The Daily

25 min listen

The Charges Against Trump for Conspiring to Overturn the Election: On Tuesday afternoon, the special counsel Jack Smith filed criminal charges against former President Donald Trump over his wide-ranging attempt to overthrow the 2020 election. Luke Broadwater, a congressional reporter for The Times, talks us through the indictment and the evidence it lays out that Trump participated in an illegal conspiracy to remain in power. Guest: Luke Broadwater, a congressional reporter for The New York Times. by The Daily

26 min listen

Italy’s Giorgia Meloni Charts a Path for the Far Right: Last year, Giorgia Meloni, an Italian far-right politician, became prime minister on an agenda that many feared would mark a radical turn for the country. Now, her visit to the White House last week has bolstered her credentials on the international stage. Jason Horowitz, the Rome bureau chief for The New York Times, explains how she got here and the path she has carved out for Europe’s far-right parties. Guest: Jason Horowitz, the Rome bureau chief for The New York Times. by The Daily

32 min listen

Understanding Ukraine’s Counteroffensive: For months, much of the world has been watching and waiting as Ukraine prepares for a major counteroffensive in its war with Russia. That battle is now underway, and it’s not what was expected. Andrew E. Kramer, the Kyiv bureau chief for The New York Times, reports from the front line. Guest: Andrew E. Kramer, the Kyiv bureau chief for The New York Times. by The Daily

22 min listen

Why the U.S. Is Sending More Powerful Weapons to Ukraine: Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the United States and allies have held back from sending Kyiv their most potent arms. Over the past few weeks, that has started to change. by The Daily

31 min listen