Margaret Mitchell wrote a powerful line in her famous novel 'Gone with the Wind'. She said land is the only thing worth working for, fighting for, and even dying for. Mitchell believed land lasts forever. Today, global conflicts remind us of this truth. Russia fights Ukraine. Israel clashes with Hamas. The US warns Iran. These tensions make World War III seem more possible each day. At the heart of these struggles lies land, who controls it, and how it gets used. But wars sacrifice lives and livelihoods too.
World War III Could Be Explosive
World Wars I and II caused massive death and destruction. A third world war might be even more explosive. In recent years, policy experts, journalists, and financial analysts have warned about the results of such a conflict. They say the consequences could reshape our world.
How the US Fits Into This Picture
The United States serves as a political, economic, and social epicenter. A world war would bring drastic and long-lasting effects to the country. Some targets seem obvious, like Washington, D.C. or New York. Other potential targets might surprise you.
Alex Wellerstein is a nuclear historian and professor at Stevens Institute of Technology. He spoke to the Daily Mail about possible attack scenarios. Wellerstein explained that an adversary like Russia would likely aim to disable US retaliation first. They would target command centers and ICBM sites. If a rogue actor attacked, they might choose symbolic or densely populated areas instead.
15 Likeliest Targets in the United States
Experts have identified fifteen sites as the most probable targets. They considered factors like population density, distance to military facilities, and emergency preparedness. Here is a detailed look at these vulnerable locations.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu has about 357,000 residents. It hosts historical military bases like Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base. This makes it one of the most vulnerable and isolated targets in the US. The Pacific Ocean surrounds the island. It sits roughly 2,500 miles from California. Escaping would be nearly impossible for many people.
Shreveport, Louisiana
Louisiana's metro area contains one of America's most powerful nuclear airbases. The Barksdale Air Force Base houses B-52 bombers. These planes can deliver nuclear strikes anywhere on the globe. Shreveport lies just six miles from the base. With a population of 172,033, the threat to civilians remains extremely high.
Ogden-Clearfield, Utah
Two cities, Ogden and Clearfield, sit along Utah's Wasatch Front. They are close to Hill Air Force Base. This base supports the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. The gorgeous mountainous surroundings create evacuation challenges. The combined population of these cities is 121,717.
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne is a small city with a big role. It serves as a vital base for America's nuclear missile operations. The Francis E. Warren Air Force Base operates as a key command center. Only 66,000 people live here. But its importance to national defense makes it a high-priority target.
Great Falls, Montana
The Malmstrom Air Force Base controls hundreds of nuclear missile silos. These could deploy during a world war. Great Falls sits just a few miles away. It has a small population of 60,422. Yet its location is vital.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs hosts the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). It also contains Peterson Space Force Base and other key military facilities. NORAD defends the airspace over the US and Canada. About 492,528 people live here. The city has sparse shelters for civilians and limited exit routes.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha lies just south of Offutt Air Force Base. This base is a top-level US nuclear command site. The city played a key role during the Cold War. It remains vital today.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is famous for its desert landscape. It also hosts Kirtland Air Force Base. This base holds one of the largest stockpiles of nuclear weapons in the American arsenal.
Major Population Hubs at Risk
Several large American cities also face significant risk due to their economic and strategic importance.
Houston, Texas
Houston had a population of 2.3 million in 2025. It serves as America's energy capital. The city sits just miles from a nuclear power plant. It contains oil refineries and shipping ports. These factors make it a likely war target.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is located near Naval Base Kitsap. About 767,060 people call it home. The city functions as a tech hub and major seaport. Mountains and waterways surround it. Exits are few, and people are many.
Los Angeles, California
LA is America's second-largest metropolitan area. It houses major ports, tech companies, media outlets, and other important sites. With 3.7 million residents, evacuating the city would be a near-impossible task.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco had a population of 842,000 in 2025. Water and mountains surround it. The city is a major tech center and port zone with global connections. This makes it an important target.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the third largest American city. It has about 2.7 million residents. The city contains four nuclear power plants. It also serves as a national transportation hub.
Washington, D.C.
Washington sits at the heart of America's political sphere. It houses vital buildings like the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon. There is no doubt this city would be on any attacker's map.
New York City
New York is America's economic center and its most populous metro area. It is home to Wall Street, the United Nations, and major media outlets. An attack here would be devastating and impactful.
A Historical Throwback
No major American cities were destroyed during World War I or World War II. The US prevented any mainland invasion in both conflicts. However, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in WWII. Germany also hit the industrial area of Black Tom in New Jersey. These events show that even America is not immune to attack.
