The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) has set the Doomsday Clock to "two minutes to midnight" to reflect fears of a nuclear confrontation with North Korea, as well as the failure of world leaders to address climate change and other factors. The clock is now set as close to doomsday as it was in 1953:
The team of scientists singled out a series of nuclear tests by North Korea. They dramatically escalated tensions on the Korean peninsula and led to a war of words between North Korea and the US.
The BAS also referred to a new US nuclear strategy that was expected to call for more funding to expand the role of the country's nuclear arsenal. Rising tension between Russia and the West was also a contributing factor.
The "weakening of institutions" around the world in dealing with major global threats - including climate change - was another major concern, the scientists said. They also mentioned US President Donald Trump's "unpredictability", pointing to his often controversial tweets and statements.
We're back, baby!
(Score: 3, Interesting) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Friday January 26 2018, @04:15PM (2 children)
If it was attacked first
But if NK starts the war China said they'd be on their own
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 26 2018, @10:32PM (1 child)
♫ would I lie to you baby would I lie to you baby ♪
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Friday January 26 2018, @11:39PM
Actually, I think China would be true to their word. China would make a lot of political and economic capital out of it, after the fact, but they probably wouldn't interfere with the rain of fire. They WOULD be ready with a counterstrike, if they happened to be hit, of course. That is, they wouldn't be caught unawares, nor would they sit idly by. Military retaliation would be off the table, unless, and until, our side fucked up.