What To Do If The US Is Drawn Into A War With Russia
There is an elevated risk of at least a tactical nuclear explosion in someplace like Kyiv or southern Ukraine. Putin has already warned that he has put his nuclear forces on “ special combat readiness.”
“Whoever tries to interfere with us,” he warned, “should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences as you have never experienced in your history.”
What Is the Likelihood This Could Happen?
It implies that the US could be drawn into a war with Russia.
First, what is the likelihood of nuclear war? The most likely event would be a tactical nuclear explosion in or around Kyiv or some other city, assuming Russian forces have not completely entered them.
A second potential event would be a Nato country like Poland or Romania receiving a small nuclear explosion.
The reason these would happen would be for Putin to show that he is ready to go to complete nuclear war, with all the destruction that would entail. In poker, it’s the same as an “all in” push of your stack to the middle of the table — hoping that the other side does not call your bluff.
How To View Events
Keep in mind that an actual war would not occur quickly. It could happen in an unlikely and slow manner. However, here are some threshold points to watch.
First, if Putin gives a warning that he will lob a nuclear weapon, it is likely he will do it. There won’t be any warning ahead of time that he is about to send it out.
Second, if the US backs down, and appears to retreat once a clear Putin warning is given, that may not change the situation. In fact, it could lead to further posturing by Putin. He could still send out a nuclear explosion immediately, assuming that the US won’t respond. This will have a great deterrent effect from his standpoint about getting what he wants.
Third, if the US gives a warning back to Putin that if he sends a nuclear weapon they will respond in kind, this is also likely to happen. You should assume that it will.
In that case, you should begin preparations, as I describe below.
What Practical Steps You Should Take Before or When This Happens
First, get liquid. Go to the bank — pull out all the cash you can immediately. Draw on lines of credit or credit cards as well. They may not work in the future so you might as well get the most out of them now.
Second, get gas for your car. Fill up your tank immediately and get a spare can of gas that you keep in the car.
Third, get a gun, rifle, or some means of protection. If law and order break down, you will need this.
Fourth, get a generator, batteries, an antenna for your TV, and a battery-operated radio, preferably a short wave one. Also, get a set of walkie-talkies, plastic tarps, and duct tape.
Last, stock up on water and food stores immediately. You never know when you need them.
Next, Set a Plan of Action
Call all your immediate relatives in your same town. Agree on a place to meet if things get worse.
Do not leave your place. Only set your plan to leave if certain events occur, which you consider threatening to US law and order and likely its continuity.
If markets are open, you should plan on exiting any positions, as they will not be of any use once the markets close.
All things being equal, it will be better to get to a place with fewer people around, rather than a big city.
Keep in mind that these are only general guidelines. Your own situation may require much more preparation.
Look at the people in Ukraine. None of them prepared. They all thought Putin was bluffing, kidding, and trying to get what he wanted without actual war. Don’t be like them.
He is not that kind of person. He would rather fight than threaten from here on. Act on this knowledge accordingly.
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This is not financial advice and you should not rely on my analysis to buy or sell any stock. I am not undertaking to induce you to buy or sell any securities. I am relying on the “publisher’s exclusion” in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to provide this information without any personalized or individualized investment advice.
Mark Hake writes articles at InvestorPlace.com and Newsbreak.com on stocks and cryptos.
Originally published at https://original.newsbreak.com.
