Experts in nuclear strategy analyzing the 2026 National Defense Strategy and FEMA's continuity of government initiatives have pinpointed the 15 US states with the highest likelihood of survival following a potential nuclear conflict in World War 3. States characterized by sparsely populated areas, significant distances from military nuclear sites, natural geographic defenses, and robust independent systems for food and water supply rank the highest. The states identified include Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Vermont, Maine, South Dakota, North Dakota, certain rural regions of Nebraska, Kansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama, all of which demonstrate statistically superior survival probabilities based on blast radius assessments, fallout projections, and agricultural capabilities. This evaluation gains urgency as NATO's Ankara Summit addresses the immediate threats posed by Russia's nuclear arsenal.
