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By Investigative Reporter, Linda Sutter – February 1, 2026
When headlines warn that certain American cities could be targets in a nuclear conflict, the reaction is often fear — and understandably so. But these lists, including a recent one published by International Business Times (IBTimes), are not predictions of the future.They are explanations of military logic. Understanding the difference matters.
The IBTimes article, titled “Full List of 15 US Cities on Nuclear Target If ‘World War 3’Erupts — Is Yours One of Them?” draws from publicly available defense doctrine and commentary from nuclear historian Alex Wellerstein of the Stevens Institute of Technology.
The premise is simple: in worst-case planning, military strategists focus on disabling command systems, weapons infrastructure, and strategic assets — not random population centers.
The 15 Cities Cited — and Why They Matter
- Great Falls, Montana — Near Malmstrom Air Force Base, which controls a large portion of
the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile silos.
- Cheyenne, Wyoming — Home to Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, a key command center
for U.S. nuclear missile forces. - Ogden / Clearfield, Utah — Adjacent to Hill Air Force Base, a major logistics and
operations hub for U.S. air power. - Shreveport, Louisiana — Near Barksdale Air Force Base, which houses nuclear-capable B-
52 bomber aircraft. - Honolulu, Hawaii — Central hub for U.S. Pacific military and naval operations.
- Omaha, Nebraska — Close to Offutt Air Force Base, long associated with U.S. nuclear
command and control. - Colorado Springs, Colorado — Hosts NORAD and other major defense command facilities.
- Albuquerque, New Mexico — Near Kirtland Air Force Base and key nuclear weapons
infrastructure. - Washington, D.C. — Seat of the federal government and national command authority.
- Seattle, Washington — Near Naval Base Kitsap, home to nuclear-armed submarine forces.
- San Francisco, California — Major economic and financial hub with strategic
infrastructure. - Houston, Texas — Large population center closely tied to national energy infrastructure.
- Chicago, Illinois — Major transportation, population, and economic hub.
- Los Angeles, California — One of the largest metropolitan and economic centers in the
United States. - New York City, New York — The nation’s largest city and a global financial center.
Why Some Nuclear States Don’t Appear on City Lists
A frequent question is why states such as North Dakota, which hosts extensive missile
fields, do not appear. The answer is straight forward: missile silos are intentionally
dispersed across rural areas. The targets are geographic coordinates, not cities. Lists framed
around recognizable cities are a journalistic tool, not a comprehensive targeting map.
So Where Are the Safer Places?
No place is completely safe in a full-scale nuclear exchange. However, areas generally
considered lower risk share common traits: low population density, lack of major military
installations, absence of nuclear weapons or command centers, and strong local food and
water resources.
States frequently cited by analysts as lower-risk include Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine,
West Virginia, and parts of Idaho and western Montana. These regions have minimal
strategic value in nuclear doctrine and fewer assets that would justify direct targeting.
Preparedness Is About Perspective, Not Panic
The real value of these articles is not fear, but understanding. Preparedness does not mean
expecting the worst — it means recognizing how deeply modern society depends on
diplomacy, de-escalation, and accurate public information. When we understand why
certain places are discussed, we are less likely to be manipulated by alarming headlines and
more likely to demand responsible leadership.
Sources- International Business Times (UK), “Full List of 15 US Cities on Nuclear Target If ‘World
War 3’ Erupts — Is Yours One of Them?”, January 2026. - Alex Wellerstein, Professor of History of Science and Nuclear Weapons Historian, Stevens
Institute of Technology. - U.S. Department of Defense public doctrine on nuclear deterrence and command
infrastructure.
