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| Bill Gates Warns of Two Imminent Threats |
Bill Gates warns of looming global threats—another pandemic or a major war within 30 years, urging better preparedness and global cooperation. Billionaire philanthropist and entrepreneur Bill Gates is kept awake by looming global concerns. The question on his mind: will we face another pandemic or could a major global war break out? Gates suggests that tensions across the globe could easily escalate into a significant conflict, and if not, the world is likely to see another pandemic within the next 25 years.
As a father of three, Gates remains cautiously optimistic about advancements in technology, including AI, and eradicating diseases like polio. However, he remains worried about the prospects of war or another global health crisis. He points to the current “unrest” as a potential catalyst for a major war.
Even if a large-scale conflict is avoided, Gates asserts that a pandemic is inevitable in the near future. "There will be another pandemic," he said during an interview with CNBC, “most likely within the next 25 years.”
Gates expressed disappointment over how poorly the world handled the recent pandemic. He specifically criticized the United States, stating, “The country that the world looked to as a leader failed to meet expectations.” He believes that although some lessons were learned from COVID-19, they haven't been fully internalized. “It’s been less than I’d hoped,” he remarked.
His frustration is shared by many global health advocates. Professor Paul Hunter, an epidemiologist specializing in emerging diseases at the University of East Anglia, has been vocal about the West’s lackluster response to outbreaks. Speaking on the deadly mpox outbreak, Hunter pointed out that the West only reacts when diseases begin threatening their populations directly. He highlighted that early intervention in affected countries could have prevented such outbreaks from spreading globally. “When the West gets involved, it’s often too late,” he said.
Gates also urged health organizations to take a long-term view, emphasizing the need to assess what worked and what didn’t during the pandemic. “We’re still not doing that,” he added, though he remains hopeful this will change in the coming years.
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This message resonates with global bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), which has urged nations to prepare for the next inevitable pandemic. WHO has warned about the potential spread of viruses like influenza from animals to humans. Nicola Lewis, director of the Worldwide Influenza Centre, emphasized the need for international collaboration to prevent future pandemics, stating, “We must put aside our short-term concerns and remember the global impact of pandemics.”
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Aside from pandemic fears, Gates also echoed concerns about the possibility of a global conflict. He is not alone in this. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon also identified geopolitical tensions as the most significant threat to the global economy. Dimon cited the war in Ukraine as a particular concern, warning that it would continue to affect international relations as long as the conflict remains unresolved. He stressed the seriousness of the situation, particularly for Europe, where a democratic nation faces nuclear threats from Russia.
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Both Gates and Dimon highlight that while the world grapples with economic challenges like inflation and recessions, it cannot afford to ignore the threats of war and pandemics. These looming crises may shape the next 30 years if not addressed urgently.