The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a map in 2015, causing a bit of a stir now.
According to Yahoo News, the map has drawn more attention since Russia and Ukraine went to war.
The map shows parts of the United States that are likely targets in a nuclear war. While nuclear forces are not located in areas with high populations, military bases, nuclear storage facilities, and intercontinental ballistic missile silos (ICBMs) are located across the United States.
Whats equally concerning is the non-adherence of Russia to the last active nuclear arms agreement it entered into with the United States. While the contract was renewed in 2021, Russia responded by accusing the Americans of not complying. Then, in the latter part of 2022, Vladimir Putin, Russias President, threatened to unleash nuclear weapons, not limiting his actions to Ukraine. According to Yahoo News, Putin said, To defend Russia and our people, we doubtlessly will use all weapons resources at our disposal. This is not a bluff.
Regarding Europe and the United States, Putin said his country has various means of destruction and claimed the West was using nuclear blackmail.
Nodding to the West, Putin referenced the policy of Russia not making the first strike in a military nuclear arms conflict. They have it in their strategy; in the documents, it is spelt out a preventive blow, Putin noted, according to CNN. We dont. We, on the other hand, have formulated a retaliatory strike in our strategy. He said Russia might change its policy.
According to FEMAs map, Montana and North Dakota might be vital areas to strike Unites States forces. Coupled with Colorado, those three states on the map show clusters of targets. Nuclear plants are among them.
There are potential targets, mostly in states in the east but along the coast of California too. Alabama, Arizona, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Tennessee have active nuclear plants which could be targeted.
Rural areas of Oregon, Maine, Idaho, and Northern California could also be targeted.
Rural areas and cities with infrastructure considered vital to maintaining the countrys government agencies, energy plants, and financial centers could be at risk. Columbia Universitys Irwin Redlener, who specialized in disaster preparedness, says New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, and Washington DC would likely be attacked. Miami, Philadelphia, and Dallas-Fort Worth also have the potential to be attached.
Russias Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed, We are not just fighting with Ukraine, but with the collective West.
The United States is keeping an eye on any escalation. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last year, Raising the alert of Russian nuclear forces is a bone-chilling development.
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