For nearly half a century, Paul Nitze was one of the chief architects of U.S. policy toward the Soviet Union. In the interview he discusses Americas nuclear posture under the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations. He describes his immediate reaction against John Foster Dulles massive retaliation strategy. He explains the Gaither Committee Report, his role in shaping its content, and Eisenhowers reaction to it. He discusses the Berlin Crisis of 1961 and explains the options available to the United States at the time. He describes the transition from the Eisenhower to Kennedy administration, focusing on the nuclear strategy of Robert McNamara. He supported the counterforce doctrine and military build up, although he also goes into detail about budgetary concerns, noting that balance that needs to be struck between what nuclear forces are desirable and what the country can afford. He describes McNamaras shift in policy from counterforce to mutual assured destruction (MAD). He concludes by noting that the nuclear posture of the United States suffered during the late 60s and early 70s because so many of the resources were being poured into the Vietnam War.