Battle Lines Bird-flu, nukes and asteroids: what 2026 might have in store
Dec 31, 2025
Join Paul Nuki, The Telegraph's Global Health Security Editor, as he discusses the looming threats of bird flu and diseases tied to conflict, like cholera and HIV. Dr. Becky Alexis-Martin highlights rising nuclear risks and the dangers of new players accessing fissile materials. Lord Martin Rees shares insights on asteroids and the vulnerabilities of our technology in the face of AI-induced risks. Together, they paint a chilling picture of potential global disasters in 2026, from pandemics to nuclear tensions.
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Conflict Fuels Cholera Outbreaks
- Cholera surges where war breaks water and hygiene systems, creating large deadly outbreaks.
- Paul Nuki warns conflict-driven cholera killed nearly 2,000 in DRC and spreads when infrastructure collapses.
War Threatens HIV Progress
- War environments amplify HIV transmission through disrupted services and fatalism among combatants.
- Paul Nuki notes HIV care gaps and aid cuts could reverse decades of progress by 2026.
Mosquito Diseases Are Expanding
- Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya are expanding with climate and weather-driven habitat shifts.
- Paul Nuki warns Asia and Latin America face large debilitating outbreaks as mosquitoes extend their range into Europe.