The Nuclear Option

Yes, we are in WW3. And yes, there are nukes on both sides. You might argue we are not in WW3, but there are Western troops on the ground in Ukraine and both sides know it. Just because they aren't announced, nor uniformed soldiers, doesn't mean that NATO isn't directly fighting Russia. In fact the bombing of the Nord Stream 2 was a direct NATO attack on Russia. The suggestion by France that they could put forces in Ukraine, and the leak by Germany of a plan to bomb the Crimean bridge are just the latest in a series of events making it more obvious. The silly distinction of what defines WW3 is immaterial. For quite a long time now, probably a decade, these superpowers have been fighting: in space, under the sea, on the Internet, and in proxy wars from Iraq to Afghanistan to Syria to Ukraine. Let's not be pedantic about definitions.

I keep hearing people say that if Western boots are on the ground in Ukraine, then Russia could nuke us all. But that's not a reasonable response. There are hundreds of ways for either side to escalate a war without resorting to "the nuclear option".  There is a reason that this phrase is colloquially used to mean the final and most extreme thing somebody can do. Russia will not jump to the final and most extreme thing they could do. They will escalate along one of the many (hundreds I say) other ways. Because neither side benefits from a nuclear strike.

So be prepared for further disruption to global shipping, including to the food supply, disruption to telecommunication, disruption to economic systems. You probably don't need a nuclear bunker. But you probably DO need to live local. Find local food supplies and local trade partners. Be prepared to use cash (yes lightning/bitcoin is nice but you might need something physical again), or amass a colleciton of something you can barter (e.g. bottles of wine). Maybe get a VHF radio. Make sure your emergency supply kit is well stocked. And with any luck you won't need any of this.