Recent intelligence indicates that if Russian President Vladimir Putin elects to attack the U.S. he is most likely to use a nuclear high-altitude EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) weapon. These weapons, exploded over a target area at high altitude, create a series of three massive pulses covering an area half the size of the U.S. that destroy power grids, cellphones, computers and all electronic systems. The death toll from a single one of these EMP weapons is expected to be more than 80% because of all the system failures that occur when people have to do without any electricity for many months.
There are defenses against a nuclear high-altitude EMP weapon that take some time, effort and expense. To date, nothing has been done to prepare our EMP defenses. The feds say the states need to do this and states say county governments have the responsibility. At the county level, such as the Montezuma County commissioners, point their fingers in reverse saying the state or feds must take such EMP defensive preparations. Such failure and “political gaming” could cost most of our population the loss of life if Putin decides to attack using one or two EMPs.
Putin’s big advantage is that he would not need to destroy the U.S. to kill most Americans and he would not need to invade the U.S. to do this. North Korea may also be preparing an EMP attack on the U.S. Political inaction does kill in horrific ways.
David A. Nuttle
Dolores
