The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is set to announce the new time for the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic representation of humanity’s proximity to global catastrophe, on January 27, 2026. This announcement will take place during a live press conference at 10:00 am ET (1500 GMT) and will be streamed on the Bulletin’s YouTube channel. As the world faces escalating nuclear threats, the Clock’s position has garnered significant attention, with the public encouraged to register for email alerts and newsletters focusing on the issues influencing the Clock’s setting.
In 2025, the Doomsday Clock was set at an alarming 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has been in its 78-year history. The Clock’s time is determined by the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board (SASB), a group of esteemed experts in nuclear risk, climate change, and emerging technologies, in collaboration with the Bulletin’s Board of Sponsors, which includes eight Nobel Laureates. This mechanism serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that could lead to self-destruction if not addressed immediately.
The threat posed by nuclear weapons has been recognized for decades. This danger peaked during the Cold War, when tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union created an environment ripe for global destruction. Over time, the Bulletin has expanded its focus, incorporating climate change and disruptive technologies into its assessments since 2007. Today, five critical concerns related to nuclear weapons continue to threaten global security.
A significant cause for concern is the impending expiration of the last remaining arms-control treaty between the United States and Russia in February 2026. Both nations are currently upgrading their nuclear arsenals, which include new warheads, bombers, missiles, and submarines. Observers have noted a lack of interest from either Washington or Moscow in renewing or replacing this vital agreement, raising fears of a new arms race without binding restrictions.
China has also intensified its nuclear capabilities, expanding its stockpile and projected to match the intercontinental ballistic missile counts of the US and Russia by the end of the decade. North Korea remains focused on advancing its nuclear program, while India and Pakistan are enhancing their delivery systems to support multi-warhead capabilities. Russia is engaged in a comprehensive modernization initiative and has reportedly deployed nuclear weapons in Belarus. The United States, for its part, is expanding its tactical nuclear arsenal and establishing new manufacturing facilities.
In the United Kingdom, the government has raised its warhead ceiling and is in the process of constructing new submarines and warheads. Reports suggest that Israel may be enhancing its nuclear capabilities, including plutonium manufacturing sites. Although the US President has authorized attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, delaying its ability to develop a bomb, this approach has created concerns about nuclear proliferation among longstanding US allies, who may now doubt the security provided by the American “nuclear umbrella.”
As global tensions intensify, many countries are reconsidering their nuclear options. Iran has surpassed limits set by the 2015 nuclear agreement by producing 60%-enriched uranium. South Korea and Japan are viewed as potential nuclear powers, while Saudi Arabia has indicated it might pursue nuclear arms if Iran does. Furthermore, Poland has expressed a willingness to host US nuclear weapons as a deterrent against potential Russian aggression.
There is a growing concern that the United States might abandon the long-standing moratorium on nuclear testing. If Washington resumes explosive tests, it is anticipated that China, Russia, and other nuclear-armed nations would follow suit. Concurrently, major powers are developing faster and more agile missiles while extending their military ambitions into outer space. Experts have warned that advancements in artificial intelligence could lead to more autonomous weapon systems, drastically reducing decision-making times during a nuclear crisis.
This upcoming announcement from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists could serve as a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding nuclear safety and global stability. As the world remains on edge, the Doomsday Clock serves as an essential indicator of the urgent challenges that humanity must confront to avoid catastrophe.