‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closer as Russia, U.S. and China tensions rise

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on Tuesday moved its symbolic Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds before midnight — the closest it has ever been since the clock was created in 1947. The group cited rising tensions among nuclear-armed states and the erosion of international cooperation.

The danger, it said, does not come from a single crisis but from several unfolding at once. Growing competition involving Russia, the United States and China has coincided with wars, weakened arms control and a retreat from multilateral institutions.

Scientists pointed to Russia’s war in Ukraine, recent clashes between India and Pakistan, and concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions as increasing the risk of miscalculation. Even limited conflicts, they warned, could escalate quickly.

Climate change is also adding to the risk, with extreme weather events accelerating as governments struggle to agree on meaningful action. The bulletin warned that delays and policy rollbacks are narrowing the window to prevent lasting damage.

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology are further raising concerns, as their rapid deployment outpaces global safeguards.

Daniel Holz, chair of the group’s science and security board, said growing “us versus them” thinking is driving the danger. 

“If the world splinters into an us-versus-them, zero-sum approach, it increases the likelihood that we all lose,” he said.

The bulletin said the clock could still be pushed back if countries rebuild arms control, restore climate cooperation and set clear rules for new technologies.