Inside the push to modernize the US nuclear arsenal
The ExcerptIt’s the worst-cast scenario no one wants to talk about: what happens if America's nuclear missile silos are attacked? The Minuteman III is a powerful intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking targets on the other side of the world, and it could be our best bet. But it’s aging, and land-based ICBMs have an Achilles heel. USA TODAY Defense Reporter Davis Winkie joins The Excerpt to discuss “The Nuclear Sponge” – a five-part project by USA TODAY that dives into the strategic debate and costs of modernizing the land leg of America’s nuclear arsenal. (This episode originally aired on January 7, 2026.)
Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com.
Episode transcript available here.
Read more
A daily news podcast produced by USA Today. It offers a concise summary of the top news stories of the day, seven days a week. In addition to the morning headlines, the podcast has in-depth episodes exploring topics in the realms of culture, entertainment, sports, and politics.
Explore more content:
News & Politics A random podcastHow can I listen to other podcasts?
Click here to discover another podcast randomly, or here to browse our categories. Lazy? That's okay, we did some research and selected podcasts just for you.
And what is Podmust?
Podmust is a french project aiming to promote the best podcasts. You can help us by sharing this page (this also helps the podcast, by the way). Thank you! 🙏
Stay informed, the audio way.
Podmust curates what you need to listen.
Discover some of our collections:
our best TV & Film podcastsour best Sports & Recreation podcastsour best Music podcasts.
How anti-DEI hit the military
Pete Hegseth's Pentagon has been dismantling diversity initiatives and blocking the promotions of high-ranking Black officers. This week, Parker talks with The Atlantic's Clint Smith, who… Code SwitchWe call her Emma
When the Arab Spring reached Syria in 2011, Bashar al-Assad's regime showed itself for what it really was: a brutal force, willing to capture and kill ordinary Syrians demanding change. And… Slow NewsPlatner Pressured To Drop Out, NATO Summit In Turkey, US Out Of World Cup
Up First from NPRGraham Platner's Unraveling Senate Campaign
Start HereFresh Strikes in Hormuz, US Falls in World Cup, More
Bloomberg News NowInside the push to modernize the US nuclear arsenal
The ExcerptFrom Mixed Signals: Bluesky COO Rose Wang on building a better social network
Uncanny ValleyHow a Tesla Challenger Veered Off Course
Tech News Briefing
We call her Emma
When the Arab Spring reached Syria in 2011, Bashar al-Assad's regime showed itself for what it really was: a brutal force, willing to capture and kill ordinary Syrians demanding change. And… Slow News
Searching for earthquake survivors in Venezuela
Tom Phillips speaks to the ordinary Venezuelans struggling to find their friends and family after the country’s worst earthquakes in a century. Help support our independent journalism at… Today in Focus
How Putin is dividing NATO
NATO is gathering in Turkey for its annual summit, and defence spending, Iran and Ukraine are all on the agenda. But behind the scenes there are warnings that Putin is planning his next… The Story
Nigel Farage and Posh George: why it matters
Nigel Farage could face an investigation by the parliamentary watchdog after a Sunday Times investigation and podcast series raised questions about gifts and benefits in kind that he has… The State Of ItWell, the bad news is: we're French. But the good news is: Podmust curates the world's podcasts so you can focus on staying informed or entertained. And voilà!
© Podmust