Edge of Armageddon: why does one of the world’s top thinkers believe we’re nearing nuclear apocalypse?

Theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli argues in his new book, "85 Seconds to Midnight," that humanity is closer to nuclear apocalypse than during the Cold War, attributing this heightened risk to a perceived lack of leadership acumen compared to figures like John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev. Rovelli dismisses the notion of Russia posing a significant military threat to Europe, citing Russia's relatively low global military spending at 4% compared to NATO's 40% a few years prior, and its struggles in the conflict in Ukraine. Despite the perceived existential threat, Rovelli advocates against rearmament. He suggests that the current geopolitical climate, characterized by a perceived deficiency in strategic thinking among leaders, makes the situation more precarious than during past nuclear standoffs. The book, subtitled "A Physicist's Argument against Rearmament," presents his perspective on the current global security landscape and his rationale for opposing increased military buildup.