Doomsday Clock Moved Closer to Midnight Than Ever Before

Atomic scientists cite aggressive behavior by nuclear powers, fraying arms control, and AI risks as factors driving global disaster risks.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:15am

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The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has set the 'Doomsday Clock' to 85 seconds before midnight, the closest it has ever been to the theoretical point of annihilation. The scientists cited factors like the Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between the U.S. and China, the collapse of nuclear arms control agreements, and concerns over the integration of artificial intelligence into military systems as driving the increased risk of global catastrophe.

Why it matters

The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic representation of the threats facing humanity and the planet. Moving it closer to midnight is a stark warning from leading scientists about the growing dangers of nuclear war, climate change, and other existential risks. This latest adjustment reflects a global failure of leadership and cooperation to address these critical issues.

The details

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a nonprofit organization founded by scientists including Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer, has moved the Doomsday Clock four seconds closer to midnight compared to last year. They cited factors like Russia's continued war in Ukraine, the U.S. and Israel's bombing of Iran, border clashes between India and Pakistan, tensions in Asia including threats toward Taiwan, and the return of former President Donald Trump to the White House in the U.S. as driving the increased risk. The scientists also expressed concern about the unregulated integration of artificial intelligence into military systems and its potential misuse in creating biological threats, as well as AI's role in spreading disinformation globally.

  • The Doomsday Clock was set to 85 seconds before midnight on January 28, 2026.
  • The last remaining nuclear arms pact between the U.S. and Russia, the New START treaty, expires on February 5, 2026.

The players

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

A nonprofit organization founded by scientists including Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer to warn the public about global catastrophic risks.

Alexandra Bell

The president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and a former senior official at the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability.

Vladimir Putin

The President of Russia, who has proposed extending the New START nuclear arms control treaty with the U.S. for another year.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has returned to office and ordered the U.S. military to restart the process for testing nuclear weapons.

Maria Ressa

A 2021 Nobel Peace Prize recipient for her journalistic efforts exposing abuses of power in the Philippines, including how social media platforms were used to spread disinformation.

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What they’re saying

“Of course, the Doomsday Clock is about global risks, and what we have seen is a global failure in leadership. No matter the government, a shift towards neo-imperialism and an Orwellian approach to governance will only serve to push the clock toward midnight.”

— Alexandra Bell, President and CEO, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (Reuters)

“In terms of nuclear risks, nothing in 2025 trended in the right direction. Longstanding diplomatic frameworks are under duress or collapsing, the threat of explosive nuclear testing has returned, proliferation concerns are growing, and there were three military operations taking place under the shadow of nuclear weapons and the associated escalatory threat. The risk of nuclear use is unsustainably and unacceptably high.”

— Alexandra Bell, President and CEO, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (Reuters)

“We are living through an information Armageddon that's brought about by the technology that rules our lives, from social media to generative AI. None of that tech is anchored in facts. Your chatbot is nothing but a probabilistic machine.”

— Maria Ressa (Reuters)

What’s next

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will continue to monitor global developments and may adjust the Doomsday Clock again in the future if the risks continue to escalate. The expiration of the New START treaty on February 5, 2026 is a key upcoming event that could further impact the clock's position.

The takeaway

The Doomsday Clock's movement to its closest point ever to midnight is a dire warning that the world is facing an unprecedented level of existential threats, from nuclear war and climate change to the misuse of emerging technologies. This underscores the urgent need for global cooperation and responsible leadership to address these complex challenges and pull the clock back from the brink.