US intelligence chief warns of near-nuclear catastrophe, need for peace

US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has raised alarms about the growing proximity of the Doomsday Clock to the symbolic "nuclear midnight," underscoring the urgency for global leaders to prioritize peace amid escalating conflicts worldwide.

Speaking at an international conference in New Delhi, Gabbard highlighted the dangerous position of the Doomsday Clock, which now stands at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to signaling a nuclear catastrophe, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

This calculation was recently confirmed by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which was established in 1945 by notable figures such as Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer.

"Unfortunately, we live in a time when wars and conflicts are being waged on many fronts around the world," Gabbard remarked, stressing the dire global situation. She further noted the responsibility of leaders in this climate of uncertainty and tension, emphasizing that it is crucial for them to "stand up for the interests that affect everyone and will affect generations to come."

In her address, Gabbard also referenced President Donald Trump’s efforts during his election campaign, where he made peace a central goal of his administration. Specifically, she recalled Trump's commitment to ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, asserting that peace must be a fundamental priority for leaders in the current global landscape.

On January 28, 2025, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that the hands of the Doomsday Clock would be moved one second closer to "nuclear midnight." The clock now stands at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to signaling a nuclear catastrophe. In 2023, the clock was moved by 10 seconds, reaching 90 seconds, due to the escalating situation surrounding Ukraine. However, in 2024, the position of the clock's hands remained unchanged.

This year's decision to advance the hands was influenced by several factors, including the continued buildup of nuclear arsenals by nuclear powers, the collapse of key arms control treaties, and ongoing conflicts involving nuclear-capable nations. Additionally, the Bulletin highlighted the insufficient efforts to address climate change and the lack of regulatory measures surrounding advanced technologies as contributing factors to the growing risks facing global security.

The Doomsday Clock, which reflects the level of tension associated with the nuclear threat, has been revised by one second to show 89 seconds to "nuclear midnight. 

By Vafa Guliyeva