Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
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The best thinking on existential threats since 1945. Nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies. We set the #DoomsdayClock. thebulletin.org
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The prospect of AI integration in command and control of nuclear weapons raises fundamental questions about responsibility, data quality, and system reliability.
Join us and @outrider.org for an expert discussion on February 19, 12:45 p.m. CST / 1:45 p.m. EST: buff.ly/iRlldWk
Join us and @outrider.org for an expert discussion on February 19, 12:45 p.m. CST / 1:45 p.m. EST: buff.ly/iRlldWk
"It only happened because, one night, after I had given up before trying, Lake Owakeela talked to me."
Elaine Midcoh's short story, a winner of the Bulletin's Write Before Midnight contest, takes a look at an unconventional approach to the law in defense of a dying lake.
Elaine Midcoh's short story, a winner of the Bulletin's Write Before Midnight contest, takes a look at an unconventional approach to the law in defense of a dying lake.
On Behalf of Lake Owakeela
I am not the ‘clever young legal scholar’ as has been alleged. The idea didn’t arise because I am brilliant or original. It only happened because, one night, after I had given up before trying, Lake…
thebulletin.org
February 14, 2026 at 10:18 PM
"It only happened because, one night, after I had given up before trying, Lake Owakeela talked to me."
Elaine Midcoh's short story, a winner of the Bulletin's Write Before Midnight contest, takes a look at an unconventional approach to the law in defense of a dying lake.
Elaine Midcoh's short story, a winner of the Bulletin's Write Before Midnight contest, takes a look at an unconventional approach to the law in defense of a dying lake.
The prospect of AI integration in command and control of nuclear weapons raises fundamental questions about responsibility, data quality, and system reliability.
Join us and @outrider.org for an expert discussion on February 19, 12:45 p.m. CST / 1:45 p.m. EST: buff.ly/iRlldWk
Join us and @outrider.org for an expert discussion on February 19, 12:45 p.m. CST / 1:45 p.m. EST: buff.ly/iRlldWk
February 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM
The prospect of AI integration in command and control of nuclear weapons raises fundamental questions about responsibility, data quality, and system reliability.
Join us and @outrider.org for an expert discussion on February 19, 12:45 p.m. CST / 1:45 p.m. EST: buff.ly/iRlldWk
Join us and @outrider.org for an expert discussion on February 19, 12:45 p.m. CST / 1:45 p.m. EST: buff.ly/iRlldWk
The United States and its allies could help Kim Jong-Un solve his country's severe environmental problems in exchange for military concessions while emphasizing North Korean self-reliance.
It's a long shot, but a potential win-win, writes Elijah Geltman.
It's a long shot, but a potential win-win, writes Elijah Geltman.
Environmental self-reliance in North Korea: a potential path to engagement
The United States and its allies could help Kim Jong-un solve his country’s severe environmental problems in exchange for military concessions while emphasizing North Korean self-reliance. It’s a…
thebulletin.org
February 13, 2026 at 9:06 PM
The United States and its allies could help Kim Jong-Un solve his country's severe environmental problems in exchange for military concessions while emphasizing North Korean self-reliance.
It's a long shot, but a potential win-win, writes Elijah Geltman.
It's a long shot, but a potential win-win, writes Elijah Geltman.
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
And today, German Chancellor Merz said in the opening of the conference that he is talking with French President Macron about European nuclear deterrence.
Former President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso tells the Bulletin that Germany and France must work out their differences over nuclear weapons to strengthen Europe's security.
Bulletin nuclear editor @francoisdm.bsky.social reports from the Munich Security Conference. #MSC2026
Bulletin nuclear editor @francoisdm.bsky.social reports from the Munich Security Conference. #MSC2026
In Munich, Europe tries to strike a balance: “We need a more European NATO.”
Former President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso tells the Bulletin that Germany and France must work out their differences over nuclear weapons to strengthen Europe's security.
thebulletin.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:08 PM
And today, German Chancellor Merz said in the opening of the conference that he is talking with French President Macron about European nuclear deterrence.
Former President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso tells the Bulletin that Germany and France must work out their differences over nuclear weapons to strengthen Europe's security.
Bulletin nuclear editor @francoisdm.bsky.social reports from the Munich Security Conference. #MSC2026
Bulletin nuclear editor @francoisdm.bsky.social reports from the Munich Security Conference. #MSC2026
In Munich, Europe tries to strike a balance: “We need a more European NATO.”
Former President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso tells the Bulletin that Germany and France must work out their differences over nuclear weapons to strengthen Europe's security.
thebulletin.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Former President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso tells the Bulletin that Germany and France must work out their differences over nuclear weapons to strengthen Europe's security.
Bulletin nuclear editor @francoisdm.bsky.social reports from the Munich Security Conference. #MSC2026
Bulletin nuclear editor @francoisdm.bsky.social reports from the Munich Security Conference. #MSC2026
"President Donald Trump's approach to climate change rests on one key premise: Greenhouse gases are not that bad.
This is a simple argument—albeit one that flies in the face of the scientific consensus on climate change—but it could have profound consequences," writes Jake Bittle.
This is a simple argument—albeit one that flies in the face of the scientific consensus on climate change—but it could have profound consequences," writes Jake Bittle.
Trump's EPA kills the endangerment finding—the legal basis for nearly every major US climate regulation
Legal experts say that regulating carbon dioxide is well-supported by the text of the Clean Air Act—a fact that even the conservative Supreme Court has recognized in multiple cases, suggesting the…
thebulletin.org
February 13, 2026 at 3:32 PM
"President Donald Trump's approach to climate change rests on one key premise: Greenhouse gases are not that bad.
This is a simple argument—albeit one that flies in the face of the scientific consensus on climate change—but it could have profound consequences," writes Jake Bittle.
This is a simple argument—albeit one that flies in the face of the scientific consensus on climate change—but it could have profound consequences," writes Jake Bittle.
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
And we are live from the Munich Security Conference.
I will be covering declarations on nuclear risk as they come, as well as on multilateralism, transatlantic relations, strategic stability, and energy security.
#MSC2026 @munsecconf.bsky.social #nuclearrisk #nuclearweapons #nukesky
I will be covering declarations on nuclear risk as they come, as well as on multilateralism, transatlantic relations, strategic stability, and energy security.
#MSC2026 @munsecconf.bsky.social #nuclearrisk #nuclearweapons #nukesky
February 13, 2026 at 12:39 PM
And we are live from the Munich Security Conference.
I will be covering declarations on nuclear risk as they come, as well as on multilateralism, transatlantic relations, strategic stability, and energy security.
#MSC2026 @munsecconf.bsky.social #nuclearrisk #nuclearweapons #nukesky
I will be covering declarations on nuclear risk as they come, as well as on multilateralism, transatlantic relations, strategic stability, and energy security.
#MSC2026 @munsecconf.bsky.social #nuclearrisk #nuclearweapons #nukesky
In his new book, "MEAT," Bruce Friedrich @brucefriedrich.bsky.social of the Good Food Institute @gfi.org advocates for meat alternatives—alt meat—to feed a growing population and fight climate change.
Bulletin senior advisor Rachel Bronson @rb312.bsky.social gives her review.
Bulletin senior advisor Rachel Bronson @rb312.bsky.social gives her review.
The ick factor won’t stop alt meat, if Bruce Friedrich has anything to say about it
In his new book, "MEAT," Bruce Friedrich of the Good Food Institute addresses the consequences of humanity’s love of meat and advocates for meat alternatives—alt meat—to feed a growing population and…
thebulletin.org
February 12, 2026 at 3:47 PM
In his new book, "MEAT," Bruce Friedrich @brucefriedrich.bsky.social of the Good Food Institute @gfi.org advocates for meat alternatives—alt meat—to feed a growing population and fight climate change.
Bulletin senior advisor Rachel Bronson @rb312.bsky.social gives her review.
Bulletin senior advisor Rachel Bronson @rb312.bsky.social gives her review.
"All in all, US allies in East Asia can live with a strategy that expects more from capable allies. But what they cannot live with is a strategy that unintentionally teaches adversaries that allied burdens are rising while US risk tolerance is falling." —Bee Yun Jo ⬇️
Language in the United States' 2026 National Defense Strategy is causing concern in Seoul.
"The central problem with the National Defense Strategy is not what Washington intends. It is how others read it—and how that changes risk-taking," writes Bee Yun Jo.
"The central problem with the National Defense Strategy is not what Washington intends. It is how others read it—and how that changes risk-taking," writes Bee Yun Jo.
What the National Defense Strategy's 'limited support' means to South Korea
With the National Defense Strategy, Seoul worries that the new language from Washington creates an interpretive space that adversaries could exploit.
thebulletin.org
February 11, 2026 at 9:56 PM
"All in all, US allies in East Asia can live with a strategy that expects more from capable allies. But what they cannot live with is a strategy that unintentionally teaches adversaries that allied burdens are rising while US risk tolerance is falling." —Bee Yun Jo ⬇️
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
As I wrote for @thebulletin.org in August 2024: thebulletin.org/2024/08/proj...
February 10, 2026 at 2:42 PM
As I wrote for @thebulletin.org in August 2024: thebulletin.org/2024/08/proj...
Language in the United States' 2026 National Defense Strategy is causing concern in Seoul.
"The central problem with the National Defense Strategy is not what Washington intends. It is how others read it—and how that changes risk-taking," writes Bee Yun Jo.
"The central problem with the National Defense Strategy is not what Washington intends. It is how others read it—and how that changes risk-taking," writes Bee Yun Jo.
What the National Defense Strategy's 'limited support' means to South Korea
With the National Defense Strategy, Seoul worries that the new language from Washington creates an interpretive space that adversaries could exploit.
thebulletin.org
February 11, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Language in the United States' 2026 National Defense Strategy is causing concern in Seoul.
"The central problem with the National Defense Strategy is not what Washington intends. It is how others read it—and how that changes risk-taking," writes Bee Yun Jo.
"The central problem with the National Defense Strategy is not what Washington intends. It is how others read it—and how that changes risk-taking," writes Bee Yun Jo.
"To say that the expiration of New START is a concern for many experts and officials in Washington and Moscow would be an understatement."
To help make sense of the implications of a world without New START, the Bulletin invited nuclear policy experts and former US diplomats to share their views.
To help make sense of the implications of a world without New START, the Bulletin invited nuclear policy experts and former US diplomats to share their views.
The experts comment: New START expires, bringing both risks and opportunities
Experts share their concern about the no-rules, no-inspections period that opens when New START expires on Thursday. They also see an opportunity to adapt arms control to a multipolar world.
thebulletin.org
February 9, 2026 at 8:01 PM
"To say that the expiration of New START is a concern for many experts and officials in Washington and Moscow would be an understatement."
To help make sense of the implications of a world without New START, the Bulletin invited nuclear policy experts and former US diplomats to share their views.
To help make sense of the implications of a world without New START, the Bulletin invited nuclear policy experts and former US diplomats to share their views.
In case you missed it: "How dehumanizing language, video images, and human oversight affect public opinion on drone warfare." ⬇️
How dehumanizing language, video images, and human oversight affect public opinion on drone warfare
The pairing of fully autonomous drone strikes and dehumanizing imagery can undermine public support for military action, even when necessary.
thebulletin.org
February 9, 2026 at 5:06 PM
In case you missed it: "How dehumanizing language, video images, and human oversight affect public opinion on drone warfare." ⬇️
"Now it's time to create, to build the world we want, that is more compassionate, more equal, more sustainable," said Maria Ressa at the 2026 Doomsday Clock announcement.
"85 seconds to midnight. You know, the question now is not whether we can. The question is, whether you will."
"85 seconds to midnight. You know, the question now is not whether we can. The question is, whether you will."
Nobel Peace Prize Winner on turning back the Doomsday Clock
Watch Maria Ressa's full speech from the 2026 Doomsday Clock announcement.
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 2:02 PM
"Now it's time to create, to build the world we want, that is more compassionate, more equal, more sustainable," said Maria Ressa at the 2026 Doomsday Clock announcement.
"85 seconds to midnight. You know, the question now is not whether we can. The question is, whether you will."
"85 seconds to midnight. You know, the question now is not whether we can. The question is, whether you will."
Chicago-based readers: This Tuesday, Bulletin president and CEO Alexandra Bell @atomicbell.bsky.social and Bulletin Science and Security Board Chair Daniel Holz will speak about this year's Doomsday Clock setting with University of Chicago professor Chris Blattman.
Reserve a free spot below. ⬇️
Reserve a free spot below. ⬇️
The 2026 Doomsday Clock
Join us for the Doomsday Clock event, featuring a panel of experts addressing looming global threats.
www.eventbrite.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Chicago-based readers: This Tuesday, Bulletin president and CEO Alexandra Bell @atomicbell.bsky.social and Bulletin Science and Security Board Chair Daniel Holz will speak about this year's Doomsday Clock setting with University of Chicago professor Chris Blattman.
Reserve a free spot below. ⬇️
Reserve a free spot below. ⬇️
In case you missed it: Prehistoric fungi feed the world's plants and resist climate change, but face an uncertain future. ⬇️
The underground network: Prehistoric fungi feed the world’s plants and resist climate change, but face an uncertain future
Trillions of miles of tiny fungal tubes embedded in soil transport nutrients to crops and other plants and fight climate change by storing carbon. Scientists are racing to understand how these…
thebulletin.org
February 8, 2026 at 5:47 PM
In case you missed it: Prehistoric fungi feed the world's plants and resist climate change, but face an uncertain future. ⬇️
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Today, New START expires without replacement, ending the U.S.–Russia strategic nuclear arms treaty era — not arms control itself.
In @thebulletin.org I examine why managing uncertainty, rather than restoring past models, must now be a priority.
thebulletin.org/2026/02/the-...
In @thebulletin.org I examine why managing uncertainty, rather than restoring past models, must now be a priority.
thebulletin.org/2026/02/the-...
The experts comment: New START expires, bringing both risks and opportunities
Experts share their concern about the no-rules, no-inspections period that opens when New START expires on Thursday. They also see an opportunity to adapt arms control to a multipolar world.
thebulletin.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Today, New START expires without replacement, ending the U.S.–Russia strategic nuclear arms treaty era — not arms control itself.
In @thebulletin.org I examine why managing uncertainty, rather than restoring past models, must now be a priority.
thebulletin.org/2026/02/the-...
In @thebulletin.org I examine why managing uncertainty, rather than restoring past models, must now be a priority.
thebulletin.org/2026/02/the-...
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
"If implementing New START’s verification aspects could improve international security and stability, the same could be said of restoring other defunct arms control agreements," writes Senior Policy Director John Erath in @thebulletin.org. thebulletin.org/2026/02/in-a...
In a world without New START, old verification regimes could be key to strategic stability
Arms control expert John Erath argues that restoring measures from defunct arms control agreements could improve international security and stability once New START expires.
thebulletin.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:13 PM
"If implementing New START’s verification aspects could improve international security and stability, the same could be said of restoring other defunct arms control agreements," writes Senior Policy Director John Erath in @thebulletin.org. thebulletin.org/2026/02/in-a...
If the negotiations scheduled for Friday between Iran and the United States are to be effective and durable, they must move beyond a single-issue on nuclear weapons and toward a comprehensive, direct, and phased dialogue, writes Seyed Hossein Mousavian.
Why Iran–US negotiations must move beyond a single-issue approach to the nuclear problem
If the negotiations scheduled for Friday between Iran and the United States are to be effective and durable, they must move beyond a single-issue on nuclear weapons and toward a comprehensive,…
thebulletin.org
February 6, 2026 at 6:24 PM
If the negotiations scheduled for Friday between Iran and the United States are to be effective and durable, they must move beyond a single-issue on nuclear weapons and toward a comprehensive, direct, and phased dialogue, writes Seyed Hossein Mousavian.
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Thanks, Mr. President.
We've got an editorial series of "expert comments" for you.
#NewSTART #armscontrol #nuclearweapons #nukesky
We've got an editorial series of "expert comments" for you.
#NewSTART #armscontrol #nuclearweapons #nukesky
February 5, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Thanks, Mr. President.
We've got an editorial series of "expert comments" for you.
#NewSTART #armscontrol #nuclearweapons #nukesky
We've got an editorial series of "expert comments" for you.
#NewSTART #armscontrol #nuclearweapons #nukesky
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
For our latest Nukes of Hazard podcast episode, President and CEO of @thebulletin.org @atomicbell.bsky.social chats with Communications Director Anna Schumann about the Doomsday Clock and the end of New START.
armscontrolcenter.org/with-doomsda...
armscontrolcenter.org/with-doomsda...
With Doomsday Approaching, Is It Time for a New Start? - Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
The Doomsday Clock has just been set at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to symbolic human-caused Armageddon. It’s no coincidence that this happened just a week before the last rem...
armscontrolcenter.org
February 5, 2026 at 5:18 PM
For our latest Nukes of Hazard podcast episode, President and CEO of @thebulletin.org @atomicbell.bsky.social chats with Communications Director Anna Schumann about the Doomsday Clock and the end of New START.
armscontrolcenter.org/with-doomsda...
armscontrolcenter.org/with-doomsda...
The fire season in Patagonia this summer will likely be one of the most severe in recent decades, and the crisis is not an isolated phenomenon, writes Bulletin climate editorial fellow María de los Ángeles Orfila.
Why Patagonia burns every summer: climate change, shifting fire regimes, and policy failures
The fire season in Patagonia this summer will likely be one of the most severe in recent decades, and the crisis is not an isolated phenomenon.
thebulletin.org
February 4, 2026 at 9:02 PM
The fire season in Patagonia this summer will likely be one of the most severe in recent decades, and the crisis is not an isolated phenomenon, writes Bulletin climate editorial fellow María de los Ángeles Orfila.
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty—the last arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, which limits strategic nuclear weapons—expires this Thursday.
To understand the implications of a world without New START, the Bulletin invited leading experts to share their views.
To understand the implications of a world without New START, the Bulletin invited leading experts to share their views.
The experts comment: New START expires, bringing both risks and opportunities
Experts share their concern about the no-rules, no-inspections period that opens when New START expires on Thursday. They also see an opportunity to adapt arms control to a multipolar world.
thebulletin.org
February 4, 2026 at 7:38 PM
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty—the last arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, which limits strategic nuclear weapons—expires this Thursday.
To understand the implications of a world without New START, the Bulletin invited leading experts to share their views.
To understand the implications of a world without New START, the Bulletin invited leading experts to share their views.
"Arctic security should be managed among NATO allies through the collective efforts of all and under the alliance’s framework, with a far stronger European and US contribution," writes Igor Morić.
Trump doesn't need the Golden Dome in Greenland. He needs a stronger NATO
Greenland's geographical location provides no added benefit to a space-based architecture of interceptors and sensors for US missile defense.
thebulletin.org
February 3, 2026 at 8:47 PM
"Arctic security should be managed among NATO allies through the collective efforts of all and under the alliance’s framework, with a far stronger European and US contribution," writes Igor Morić.
"The pairing of fully autonomous drone strikes and dehumanizing imagery could undermine public support for military action, even in cases when action is needed," write Paul Lushenko and Srinjoy Bose @srinjoybose.bsky.social.
How dehumanizing language, video images, and human oversight affect public opinion on drone warfare
A survey of 1,500 Americans reveals how the public views the use of drones in war.
thebulletin.org
February 3, 2026 at 4:19 PM
"The pairing of fully autonomous drone strikes and dehumanizing imagery could undermine public support for military action, even in cases when action is needed," write Paul Lushenko and Srinjoy Bose @srinjoybose.bsky.social.