The document discusses growing concerns about the possibility of nuclear war between Russia and NATO countries. It notes that Putin has escalated threats and annexed parts of Ukraine, saying Russia will defend the territories. This has left little room for negotiation. Many people are losing sleep and feeling anxious about the risks. A simulation of a nuclear bomb detonation on Washington D.C. showed it could kill or injure almost a million people from just one bomb. With tensions rising, people are praying for God's mercy to prevent catastrophic outcomes like pandemics, economic crises, or nuclear war.

1. 10/2/22, 4:30 PM Worried About the Nukes? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/worried-about-the-nukes/ 1/6
THE BLOGS
Andy Blumenthal
Leadership With Heart
Worried About the
Nukes?
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2. 10/2/22, 4:30 PM Worried About the Nukes? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/worried-about-the-nukes/ 2/6
Source Photo: https://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/
Even though it’s supposed to be a leisurely Sunday morning, I woke up very
early in somewhat of a frenzy and panic. My first thought as I reached for the
iPhone was to check the breaking news to see whether a nuclear blast went off
last night.
Listen, it’s really not surprising to be extremely concerned and even fearful of a
nuclear exchange at this point. With Russia’s despicable unprovoked war in
Ukraine going on since February and regular threats of escalation to nukes,
we’re all getting on edge. Already in April, a CBS poll found that 70% of
Americans were worried about this going nuclear!
And unfortunately, things have only escalated since then, with Putin now
bringing things to the precipice now by annexing the territories of Donetsk,
Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—15% of Ukraine—and declaring
menacingly that he’s “not bluffing“ about using nukes when he says that:
We will defend our land with all the powers and means at our disposal. ”

3. 10/2/22, 4:30 PM Worried About the Nukes? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/worried-about-the-nukes/ 3/6
So, while Ukraine has turned the tides and Russia is losing on the battlefield
against highly determined Ukrainian troops fighting for their survival with
high-tech Western smart weapons, Putin has drawn a line in the sand saying
that Russia will never relinquish this land that they now consider part of Mother
Russia itself. Thus, Putin has left zero room for negotiation or compromise. If
the Ukrainian counterattacks continue to try to regain their land, and Russia has
no viable military options left, then they will turn to weapons of mass
destruction. Clearly, if Putin doesn’t use everything at his disposal to win (and
win he must), then Russia as a superpower will be the true laughing stock of the
world, and Putin himself will be toast!
Talking to a neighbor this morning about the escalating risks of the use of nukes
and the possibility of this turning into World War 3, my neighbor said:
Thus, I would imagine that there are plenty of people having some restless, if
not sleepless nights. Just a couple of weeks ago, an article in the Wall Street
Journal reported on the recommendations of a U.S. panel that:
“
First, we had the COVID pandemic that kept us on the edge of our seats for
two years. Then we had inflation, rising national debt, the economic recession,
and a bear market that we’re still struggling with. And now we have a real
threat of nuclear war between NATO and Russia. This is really bad! ”
“
Most adults should be screened for anxiety [as well as depression].
“

4. 10/2/22, 4:30 PM Worried About the Nukes? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/worried-about-the-nukes/ 4/6
If you’re really not sure what the concern is with even a limited nuclear
exchange, you can try out the interactive “NUKEMAP” by Alex Wellerstein, a
historian of science and nuclear technology. The Nuke app is easy to use. You
put in the city, the number of kiloton yield for the nukes, and check some basic
options like whether it’s a surface strike or an airburst, and you hit the bright
red “Detonate” button. Immediately, you can see the results on the map as well
as the number of fatalities and casualties.
I tried the simulation using a 1,000 kiloton nuke strike (that would be a standard
strategic nuclear weapon) on Washington, D.C., and immediately, you can see in
the screenshot the bands of the fireball, heavy blast damage, radiation radius,
and so on. Most importantly, you can see the estimated deaths and injuries of
almost a million people all together. And that would be just one simple nuke!
In short, if you find yourself worrying or can’t sleep at night thanks to Putin,
feel free to experiment with the Nuke Map, and see what things could easily
look like in the world the morning after (whether from Russia, China, North
Korea, or arch enemy Iran).
With Yom Kippur on Wednesday this week, when the Book of Life (or G-d forbid,
death) is sealed for the coming year, we really have much to pray for in terms of
G-d’s mercy on us and the world. May Hashem save us from pandemics, a
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5. 10/2/22, 4:30 PM Worried About the Nukes? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/worried-about-the-nukes/ 5/6
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader who writes frequently about Jewish life,
culture, and security. All opinions are his own.
horrible economy, and a Putin nuclear war. With or without the Nuke Map, you
should be able to see that we are completely in G-d’s hands!
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