What would it have been like to prepare for the unthinkable – the outbreak of nuclear war?
That question was at the heart of our recent Cold War Network webinar, Planning for Nuclear War, held on Thursday 18 September 2025.
The session brought together two leading voices:
- Rowena Willard-Wright – historian specialising in the UK’s civil defence planning
- Duncan Campbell – an investigative journalist and author renowned for uncovering intelligence operations and national security issues
Together, they uncovered how governments quietly developed strategies of survival, continuity, and recovery in the face of nuclear catastrophe.
These measures were rarely acknowledged in public, yet they profoundly shaped policy, infrastructure, and even the collective psychology of the Cold War generation.
Key Themes from the Webinar
- Secret infrastructure: From hidden bunkers to the role of international signal intelligence stations.
- Decision-making in crisis: The moral, political, and practical dilemmas faced by civil servants.
- Shaping society: How civil defence plans influenced government policy and public culture.
- Relevance today: Lessons that continue to inform how governments respond to threats.
Speaker Slides
We’re delighted to share the presentation slides from both of our speakers:
Why It Matters
The discussion reminded us that governments have long grappled with how to plan for unimaginable crises – and that the strategies, debates, and fears of the Cold War continue to resonate in today’s security landscape.
If you missed the live session, the slides are an excellent way to revisit the insights, stories, and critical questions raised by our speakers.
