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In his new book *War*, author Bob Woodward sheds light on the behind-the-scenes interactions between global leaders during some of the most pivotal moments of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Based on interviews with firsthand participants, the book reveals startling new details about high-stakes showdowns involving President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. One of the most alarming revelations is the belief, at one point, within Biden’s national security team that there was a 50% chance Putin would use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

 

Woodward describes Biden’s frustrations with former President Barack Obama’s handling of the 2014 Crimea invasion, quoting Biden as saying, “Barack never took Putin seriously.” These reflections highlight Biden’s concerns about how seriously the Russian leader should be taken. The book also reveals that former President Trump may have held as many as seven conversations with Putin since leaving office, according to a Trump aide.

 

As tensions escalated in late 2021, US intelligence provided Biden with clear indications of Putin’s intentions. “It was an astonishing intelligence coup,” Woodward writes, citing sources inside the Kremlin that delivered conclusive information about the planned invasion of Ukraine. “It was as if they had secretly entered the enemy commander’s tent,” Woodward notes, describing the depth of intelligence that showed Putin’s plans for a 175,000-troop invasion. Even though Biden’s advisers agreed the intelligence was credible, it was difficult for them to fully grasp Putin’s intentions. “This would be so crazy,” Biden remarked, before confronting Putin in a heated 50-minute call in December 2021, during which Putin raised the risk of nuclear war. Biden, however, reminded Putin that “it’s impossible to win” a nuclear war.

 

One of the most dramatic moments in *War* unfolds as the threat of nuclear conflict intensified. By September 2022, intelligence reports painted a deeply unsettling picture of Putin’s desperation. The White House assessed that there was a 50% chance Russia would deploy tactical nuclear weapons—a stark increase from earlier predictions. Biden’s response was decisive. “On all channels, get on the line with the Russians,” he instructed national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Biden made it clear that the US would respond forcefully if nuclear weapons were used.

 

A critical exchange between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in October 2022 highlights the intensity of the situation. According to Woodward, Austin warned Shoigu, “If you did this, all the restraints that we have been operating under in Ukraine would be reconsidered.” Shoigu, not taking kindly to the warning, replied, “I don’t take kindly to being threatened.” Austin’s firm response was a reminder of the US’s unmatched military power: “I am the leader of the most powerful military in the history of the world. I don’t make threats.”

 

Days later, the Russians requested another call, claiming falsely that Ukraine planned to use a “dirty bomb.” Austin firmly dismissed the claim, telling Shoigu, “We don’t believe you… Don’t do it.” This exchange was seen as one of the most hair-raising moments of the conflict. Colin Kahl, a senior Pentagon official, later described the episode as “probably the most hair-raising moment of the whole war.”

 

Through these intense and candid exchanges, Woodward's *War* provides an inside look at the pressure and gravity of decisions faced by global leaders as they navigated the possibility of a catastrophic nuclear conflict.

 

Based on a report from CNN 2024-10-10

 

 

 

[jippytum]

Can't picture Joe Biden in a high stakes convesation without a teleprompter.