Considering the current global climate and the undeniable political tensions, it is hardly surprising that the fear of war occupies the thoughts of many individuals.
A significant aspect of President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign was centered on preventing U.S. troops from being deployed to foreign battlefields. However, following his actions in Venezuela and his apparent fixation on Greenland, the likelihood of military engagement in the upcoming months not only seems plausible but increasingly probable.
The predominant concern for individuals worldwide is, without a doubt, the potential onset of World War III. This refers to a conflict that is so extensive and monumental in nature that it could inflict irreparable harm on the planet and its inhabitants (us).
While optimists may contend that a multitude of factors must align negatively for a global nuclear war to erupt, more pragmatic thinkers argue that the past year has seen us inch closer to a disastrous conflict rather than moving away from it.
With seemingly unpredictable leaders making critical decisions, global alliances hanging by a thread, and the usual adversaries—pride, ego, and megalomania—holding significant sway, there is ample reason to be concerned that some form of dramatic escalation is likely to occur in the near future.
A nuclear historian has disclosed the 15 U.S. cities that could become immediate and obvious targets if North America were to face an attack by nuclear missiles.
As previously noted, Trump’s increasingly aggressive stance in diplomacy has done little to alleviate the growing concerns on the global front. The unexpected capture and extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the U.S. has reportedly unsettled much of South America, while the Trump administration has indicated a willingness to intervene in the ongoing political turmoil in Iran.
Furthermore, Trump has confused and frustrated his NATO allies by asserting that the U.S. requires Greenland and will pursue the annexation of the territory at any cost.
This situation arises even before considering the traditional adversaries, Russia and China.
Regardless, many individuals in the U.S. are now contemplating the possibility of a war, one that is presumed to be fought on a nuclear scale.
Nuclear historian Professor Alex Wellerstein from Stevens Institute of Technology has previously addressed the potential implications of this scenario, identifying 15 U.S. cities that could be targeted based on the identity of the aggressor.
In an interview with the Daily Mail in 2025, Wellerstein remarked: “If the adversary is Russia and their objective is to incapacitate U.S. retaliation, command centers and ICBM sites will be prioritized for strikes. Conversely, if the attacker is a rogue entity, symbolic or densely populated regions may be the focus instead.”
Great Falls, Montana
With a population of merely 60,422, it may come as a surprise to find Great Falls listed as a potential target for attack. However, its closeness to Malmstrom Air Force Base – known to oversee hundreds of nuclear missile silos that could pose a threat to Russia and China in the event of a World War – renders it a likely target.
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Another small city, Cheyenne has a population of just over 65,000 and houses the Francis E Warren Air Force Base within its limits.
The US Air Force operates a control center for nuclear missile operations from this base, making it a desirable target for adversaries of the United States.
Ogden and Clearfield, Utah
Hill Air Force Base, one of the United States’ nuclear weapons facilities, is situated just south of Ogden and in close proximity to Clearfield, Utah.
Once more, neither city is heavily populated (their combined population is approximately 121,700), yet they are located near a site of significant strategic value.
Shreveport, Louisiana
This city is home to several B-52 bombers, the notorious aircraft capable of executing nuclear strikes that could devastate entire cities.
The approximately 177,900 residents of Shreveport, located merely six miles away, would likely face devastating consequences from any atomic attack.
Honolulu, Hawaii
The disaster at Pearl Harbour, notoriously executed by Japan in 1941, is a narrative that is widely recognized. More than 80 years later, Hawaii continues to be a probable target for those intending to inflict harm on the United States.
This is attributed to the numerous naval and air forces stationed on the island.
Omaha, Nebraska
Offutt Air Force Base is situated on the periphery of Omaha, a city with a population exceeding 483,300.
The base continues to play a significant role in the nuclear operations of the United States.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which is tasked with the protection of North American airspace, is based at the base of the Rocky Mountains.
This undoubtedly renders it an attractive target for any adversary seeking to inflict casualties (with a population of 488,664 in Colorado Springs) and to neutralize military installations.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is home to more than 560,000 residents and also hosts Kirtland Air Force Base, which is known for having one of the largest nuclear arsenals in North America.
Washington, D.C.
One of the more apparent targets for those aiming to inflict significant damage on the U.S. and deliver a severe impact is Washington D.C. This city houses the White House, the U.S. government, and has a population of nearly 700,000 residents.
Seattle, Washington
With a population exceeding 737,000 and proximity to Naval Base Kitsap, a key U.S. submarine and nuclear weapons facility, Seattle stands out as a significant location.
Additionally, Seattle is recognized as a global technology center and a major seaport, further contributing to its status as a plausible target.
Remaining cities
The remaining cities on this list aren’t situated close to nuclear warheads or important military stations, but they are places of high influence, not to mention densely-populated.
- San Francisco, California – 873,965 residents
- Houston, Texas – 2.3 million residents
- Chicago, Illinois – 2.75 million residents (over 9 million people in the wider Chicago metropolitan area)
- Los Angeles, California – 3.8 million residents
- New York City, New York – 8.8 million residents
Do you believe the world is on the brink of World War Three? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box.
