WWIII fears rise: Nuclear expert reveals 15 American cities that could be targeted

“The land is the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for, because it's the only thing that lasts," wrote Margaret Mitchell in her famous novel 'Gone with the Wind'. With Russia fighting with Ukraine, Israel still tossing it with Hamas and the US sending warnings to Iran, the possibilities of another World War seem more like a reality day by day. And what it all comes down to is land, its ownership, and its use.

But what will be sacrificed in the middle of it all are lives and livelihoods. World Wars I and II were deadly and destructive, but when it comes to the possibility of World War III, it could be explosive. In recent years, world policy experts, investigative journalists and financial analysts have warned about the results of a third world war.

The US in the case of a world war

For a country like the US which is a political, economic, and social epicentre, the consequences could be drastic and long-lasting. While major hubs like Washington, D.C. and New York might be predictable targets, others might even surprise you.

Alex Wellerstein, a nuclear historian and professor at Stevens Institute of Technology told the Daily Mail: "If the adversary is Russia and their goal is to disable US retaliation, command centres and ICBM sites will be hit first. If the attacker is a rogue actor, symbolic or densely populated areas might be targeted instead."

They revealed 15 sites that are the likeliest targets due to factors like population density, air distance to strategic military facility, emergency preparedness and more.

Honolulu, Hawaii

With a population of 357,000 residents and historical military bases like Pearl Harbour and Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu is one of the most vulnerable and isolated targets in the US. Since it is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and about 2,500 miles away from California, escaping the island is nearly impossible.

Shreveport, Louisiana

Louisiana's metro area houses one of the most powerful nuclear airbases in the US. The Barksdale Air Force Base hosts B-52 bombers, capable of delivering nuclear strikes across the globe. Shreveport, is about six miles away from the base and has a population of 172,033 making the threat of civilian loss extremely high.

Ogden-Clearfield, Utah

Along Utah's Wasatch Front lie two cities, Ogden and Clearfield. These are positioned in close proximity to one of America's most important military bases, Hill Air Force Base which supports the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. Its gorgeous mountainous surroundings also pose a complexity when it comes to evacuation for the combined population of 121,717.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

While it's a small city, Cheyenne is a vital base for America's nuclear missile operations. It hosts the Francis E Warren Air Force Base, which is a key command centre for the same. While it has a small population size of 66,000, it has long been a part of America's defence and thus a high-priority target.

Great Falls, Montana

The Malmstrom Air Force Base controls hundreds of nuclear missile silos that could be deployed in a world war. Just a few miles away is Great Falls with a small population of 60,422 but a vital location.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Along with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Peterson Space Force Base and many other key military facilities. NORAD is the military command responsible for defending the airspace over the US and Canada. With a population of 492,528, Colorado Springs has sparse shelters for civilians and limited exits out of town.

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha lies just south of Offutt Air Force Base, a top-level US nuclear command site. The city played a key role during the Cold War and remains vital even now.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Popular for its desert base, Albuquerque also hosts Kirtland Air Force Base which has one of the largest stockpiles of nuclear weapons in the American arsenal.

Major hubs that could be targets

Houston, Texas

In 2025, Houston had a population of 2.3 million. It's America's energy capital and is just miles away from a nuclear power plant. From oil refineries to shipping ports, it checks all the boxes for a war target.

Seattle, Washington

Located near the Naval Base Kitsap, Seattle is home to 767,060 people and is also a tech hub and major seaport. Surrounded by mountains and waterways, the exits are few and people are many.

Los Angeles, California

LA is America's second-largest metropolitan area and houses major ports, tech, media and other sites. With a population of 3.7 million, evacuating the city is a near-impossible task.

San Francisco, California

Surrounded by water and mountains, San Francisco had a population of 842,000 in 2025. While it is a major tech centre and port zone with global connections, it is an important target.

Chicago, Illinois

The third largest American city with a population of 2.7 million, Chicago has four nuclear power plants and is a national transportation hub.

Washington, DC

Along with being at the heart of America's political sphere, Washington houses some of the most vital and prestigious American buildings such as the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon. There's no doubt the city is a part of the map of targets when it comes to America.

New York City

New York is the economic centre of America and its most populous metro area. Home to Wall Street, the United Nations and some of the major media outlets, an attack here would be devastating and impactful.

A historical throwback

No major American cities were destroyed during the First and Second World Wars. The US prevented any mainland invasion during the two wars. However, Pearl Harbour was attacked in WWII by Japan and Germany hit the industrial area of Black Tom in New Jersey.