Pandora’s box: the new equation of nuclear proliferation

潘多拉的盒子:核扩散的新方程

Editor's Picks from The Economist

2026-02-11

5 分钟
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A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. The old nuclear order is unraveling. Allies of the United States are questioning whether they can trust its promises. Some may decide to pursue bombs of their own. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
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  • The Economist Hello, this is Alok Jha,

  • host of Babbage, our weekly podcast on science and technology.

  • Welcome to Editors Pics.

  • We've chosen an unmissable article from the latest edition of The Economist.

  • Please do have a listen.

  • The Danish word huge suggests a cosy state of relaxation that comes from open fires,

  • woollen socks and hot chocolate.

  • These days

  • though some Nordic defence strategists think that only nuclear arms can provide inner peace.

  • America's allies, Poland,

  • Japan and South Korea are also considering whether they need weapons of their own.

  • Some have begun speaking about the need for a Nordic nuke to shield Denmark,

  • Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

  • Others, such as Germany,

  • are talking about cooperation with Europe's nuclear powers Britain and France.

  • As long as dangerous countries possess nuclear weapons, said Ulf Christensen,

  • Sweden's Prime Minister last month, sound democracies must also have access to nuclear weapons.

  • At the same time, as the new START Treaty expires,

  • America, China and Russia are on the brink of an arms race,

  • violating the bargain that nuclear states would disarm while non-nuclear states issued the bomb.