Part 5/7:
Rather than suffering from an overly optimistic "40th problem" attitude—meaning overconfidence that things will always work out—the concern lies in the increasing number of countries with nuclear capabilities. As more nations acquire and modernize their arsenals, the probability that missteps, misperceptions, or deliberate uses could occur rises sharply.
The current global environment, with its heightened geopolitical tensions, technological proliferation, and uncertainties, only compounds this risk. The fear is that a small trigger or a mistake could escalate into full-scale nuclear conflict, intentionally or accidentally.