Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Posted: 3rd November 2025

November 3, 2025

Edward Teller (portrayed by Benny Safdie) looks at the Trinity explosion, his face protected by dark sunglasses and sunscreen, in a scene from Christopher Nolan’s film Oppenheimer. (Universal Pictures)

Box office bombs: What I learned watching 20 nuclear films in a month

“I watched over 20 films about nuclear weapons, an unwieldy experience that taught me several valuable lessons. For example, firing up Threads at 10:00 AM on a Tuesday morning can remind a person about the importance of a well-rounded, but not too heavy, breakfast,” writes Rebecka Green of Ploughshares. Read more.

The experts respond to Trump’s proposal to “start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis”

What did Trump mean by resuming nuclear testing? And what are the implications, in the worst-case scenario? Dan Drollette Jr. collects expert responses to the possibility of the United States resuming nuclear tests. Read more.

The “House of Dynamite” sequel you didn’t know you needed

Assuming that the missile in A House of Dynamite carried a several-hundred-kiloton nuclear warhead and detonated directly above Chicago’s Loop, what would ensue in the seconds, minutes, days, and months that follow? And how far would the effects ripple across the region, nation, and beyond? Read more.

You can’t reboot the planet if you crash it

“Here’s the thing, Bill Gates: There is no ‘patch for the climate crisis,” writes climate scientist Michael E. Mann. “And there is no way to reboot the planet if you crash it. The only safe and reliable way out when you find yourself in a climate hole is to stop digging—and burning—fossil fuels.” Read more.

Upcoming event

Video: How Big Tech is reviving colonialism

Allison Stanger, author of the forthcoming book Who Elected Big Tech?,explains Big Tech’s increasing ability to influence government policy—and how it echoes the rise of the East India Company. Watch here.

The climate consequences of the US-Russia global realignment

Trump and Putin have both expressed support for better ties between the US and Russia, writes the PONARS Task Force on Russia in a Changing Climate. The two want to promote the oil and gas sector—and will likely join forces to undermine progress at future international climate talks. This Bulletinmagazine article is available to all readers for a limited time.

UPCOMING EVENT

Experts React: Netflix’s ‘A House of Dynamite‘

A nuclear missile is headed towards the United States in A House of Dynamite, a new movie from director Kathryn Bigelow. Join the Bulletin to hear experts answer questions sparked by the film, and discuss how the movie can spark more conversation about arms control and deterrence.

This virtual discussion will take place on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 11:30 A.M. Central / 12:30 P.M. Eastern. Register to attend here.

Recent articles

• How North Korea outsmarts US intelligence agencies—and what they should do to adapt
  
• A Bulletin resource guide to viewing ‘A House of Dynamite’
• What we should be talking about after watching Bigelow’s ‘A House of Dynamite’ nuclear thriller
• A conversation with Kathryn Bigelow, director of ‘A House of Dynamite,’ and screenwriter Noah Oppenheim
• Sébastien Philippe on winning the MacArthur ‘genius’ grant, nuclear war and academic freedom

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“That is the kind of reckless imprecision we should not have to tolerate from the person who has the sole authority to launch U.S. nuclear weapons. Words matter, especially to the communities in the United States and around the world that have suffered from the effects of nuclear explosive testing.”

— Alexandra Bell, president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, “Mushroom clouds over Vegas? What Trump’s nuclear weapons tests could mean for America and the world,” The Independent

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