October 8, 2006: Energy Weapons and North Korea Nuclear Test - Dr. Doug Beason
October 8, 2006: Energy Weapons and North Korea Nuclear Test - Dr. Doug Beason  
Podcast: The Art Bell Archive
Published On: Mon Jan 26 2026
Description: Art Bell welcomes submarine veteran Kenneth Sewell and Los Alamos National Laboratory associate director Dr. Doug Beason on the night North Korea announces its first nuclear weapons test. Broadcasting from Manila, Art opens with breaking news of the detonation and its seismic readings, then dives into the geopolitical fallout with both guests.Sewell, author of Red Star Rogue, warns that North Korea possesses over 48 submarines capable of reaching the U.S. coast, making a naval blockade the most urgent response. He describes how even aging diesel submarines on a one-way mission could deliver a crude nuclear device to an American harbor, and argues the president must act immediately to bottle up the regime. The discussion turns to whether Kim Jong-il is reckless enough to sell a weapon to terrorists or provoke an arms race across Asia.Dr. Beason, though unable to share classified analysis, explains how seismic signatures and atmospheric evidence help confirm underground nuclear tests. He then pivots to his book The E-Bomb, detailing how the Airborne Laser program could shoot down ballistic missiles at the speed of light, and why directed energy weapons represent the future of strategic defense.