The US’ nuclear deterrence program is being fast-tracked following Donald Trump vowing for the country to be ‘greater, bigger, stronger, better than ever before’.

Earlier this year at the World Economic Forum, days after being sworn in as the 47th President of the US, Donald Trump reflected on the beginning of ‘the golden age of America’.

He said: “We’ve accomplished more in less than four days […] than other administrations have accomplished in four years, and we’re just getting started. It’s really an amazing thing to see, and the spirit and the light over our country has been incredible.

“Under the last administration, our nation has suffered greatly, but we are going to bring it back and make it greater, bigger, stronger, better than ever before.”

And one element of making the US even ‘stronger’ than ‘ever before,’ includes it’s nuclear deterrence.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) revealed it’s fast-tracking it’s B61-13 program – a variable-yield gravity bomb – set to deliver it ‘seven months earlier than expected’.

Sandia National Laboratories announced it’s B61-13 program for ‘Nuclear Deterrence’ commencing in an update to its site: “Responding to a critical challenge and urgent need, the B61-13 program used innovative program planning that resulted in projected delivery seven months earlier than expected, a more than 25 percent decrease in overall time to first production unit.

“The B61-13 team reprioritized qualification activities, planned tests with US Air Force stakeholders and jointly completed requirements with Los Alamos National Laboratory and NNSA. Their creativity in system qualification put an aggressive set of plans in motion to meet stakeholder expectations.”

The development of the latest nuclear deterrent device was reportedly announced in 2023, as per The Aviationist.

SNL said in a press statement at the time: “The B61-13 will strengthen deterrence of adversaries and assurance of allies and partners by providing the President with additional options against certain harder and large-area military targets.”

The B61-13 program follows the completion of the last production unit of the B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb in December last year.

The B61-13 program (SNL)

The agency said, as quoted by The Aviationist: “The B61-12 LEP, which is critical to sustaining the Nation’s air delivered nuclear deterrent capability, extends the service life by at least 20 years through refurbishing, reusing, or replacing all the bomb’s nuclear and non-nuclear component.”

Sandia senior manager Rich Otten said: “It’s a tremendous accomplishment. For more than a decade, people have poured their time, effort and careers into making this a reality.”

As tensions continue to bubble over between leaders and nations across the globe, an expert has provided a list of US cities that could be subject to a nuclear attack if WW3 starts.

President Donald Trump ordered a US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites last week, which has appeared to anger Russian President Vladimir Putin – who is currently waging war with Ukraine after his troops invaded its southern neighbor in February 2022.

The 79-year-old Republican has been calling for his 72-year-old counterpart to come to an agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over a peace deal – but the two seem no closer to ending the conflict than they did six months ago.

Of course, then you also have Trump starting a trade war with both Canada, Mexico and China – with the latter being much more intimidating due to the size of its army and the ongoing tensions.

Now, nuclear historian Professor Alex Wellerstein, of Stevens Institute of Technology, has detailed the 15 cities he fears could be targeted by an attack if the US’ enemies chose to wage nuclear war.

He told the Daily Mail: “If the adversary is Russia and their goal is to disable US retaliation, command centers and ICBM sites will be hit first. If the attacker is a rogue actor, symbolic or densely populated areas might be targeted instead.”

Great Falls, Montana

With a population of just 60,422, you wouldn’t imagine Putin would be overly keen on nuking Great Falls, in Montana – or anywhere in the state. Despite it being the fourth largest in America, it boasts of just over 1.1 million Americans residing in it.

However, its location is not far from Malmstrom Air Force Base that is understood to control hundreds of nuclear missile silos which Russia and China would fear would be used in a world war.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Next up is Cheyenne, Wyoming, which neighbors Montana to the south – although it’s an almost 10-hour drive between Cheyenne and Great Falls.

Anyway, this small city has a population of just 65,168, but incorporates the Francis E Warren Air Force Base in its boundary.

The US Air Force have a control center that operates out of it for nuclear missile operations… so it probably goes without saying that residents could find themselves as collateral damage if anything did kick off.

Wyoming small capital, Cheyenne, could be completely wiped out by a nuke (Getty stock)

Ogden and Clearfield, Utah

If you live in either of Ogden and Clearfield, in Utah – which is located roughly a half-hour drive north of Salt Lake City and beside the Great Salt Lake – you may want to consider re-locating… that is of course if you believe World War 3 is on the horizon.

Combining both their populations together, you reach 121,737.

But Putin wouldn’t bomb the residential cities for any other reason than to take out Hill Air Force Base, which is one of the US’ nuclear weapons centers.

Shreveport, Louisiana

If Iran were to ever nuke somewhere, they’d be sure to note Shreveport, Louisiana, on their list of targets.

That’s because it is home to a number of B-52 bombers which can deliver city-destroying nuclear strikes.

Unfortunately, the 177,959 Shreveport residents that live a mere six miles away would probably be decimated by any atomic strike.

Honolulu, Hawaii

We’ve all heard of the Pearl Harbor attack, so Americans probably understand why Hawaii‘s capital is deemed one of the greatest cities at risk of blown up.

It’s home to a number of military operations, both naval and air units occupy the island – which is located almost halfway between mainland America and Asia.

It has a population of 341,778, so let’s hope nothing too serious kicks off!

The beautiful skyline of Honolulu, Hawaii (Getty stock)

Omaha, Nebraska

All 483,335 residents in Omaha, Nebraska, could be quivering over Trump’s involvement in the bombing of Iran. That’s due to what lies on its outskirts – Offutt Air Force Base.

It was a major player during the Cold War and still plays a key role in the US’ nuclear operations.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

With 488,664 people residing in Colorado Springs, in Colorado, it could be a lucrative target if America’s enemies were hoping to take out both Americans and military bases – including the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) operating from the foot of the Rockies.

It is responsible for defending the North American airspace so it would be an ideal target to take out.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

If a nuke were to hit central New Mexico, in the words of ’80s pop-rock band Prefab Sprout, ‘Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque’.

Yes, Albuquerque is home to 560,274 people, as well as Kirtland Air Force Base – which boasts one of the largest nuclear arsenals in the US.

Washington, D.C.

OK, this is an easy one so do we have to explain? It is home of the president, the US Government, and 678,972 residents.

The White House, home to President Donald Trump, would be a major target – located in Washington DC (Getty stock)

Seattle, Washington

This Washington metro area is home to more than 737,015 people and is near Naval Base Kitsap, a major US submarine and nuclear weapons base.

Seattle is also a global tech hub and major seaport, adding to its importance.

The local geography also works against Americans trying to evacuate. Surrounded by mountains and waterways, there are only a few exits on land.

San Francisco, California

Now, the rest of these cities are rather obvious as they serve as such influential places in the US… so all we really need to do is list the population as they aren’t situated by any nuclear warheads or military stations.

There are 873,965 people that reside in San Francisco, California.

Houston, Texas

While it might not serve as the capital of Texas, Houston boasts of a population of 2.3 million people.

Houston, we have a problem… if Russia, China or North Korea ever decide to bomb the Texan city of Houston! (Getty stock)

Chicago, Illinois

Located beside Lake Michigan, if Chicago, Illinois, was nuked it would cause a devastating environmental problem further up north… as well as claim the lives of 2.6 million people.

Chicago is America’s third-largest city with approximately 9.6 million people in its great metro area.

Los Angeles, California

Russia and China, if you bomb Los Angeles, California, film fanatics will never forgive you – with it being the home of Hollywood, as well as 3.8 million residents.

New York City

Finally, the the crème de la crème of US cities is the Big Apple, New York City. It is houses an incredible 8.8 million people.

An expert who predicted the 2008 financial crash has issued a warning about the state of the US economy and what could be on the horizon for Americans in the coming months.

Amid an ongoing trade war following the introduction of tariffs by Donald Trump, many citizens have been left worried about the future of the US economy.

A number of experts have recently shared warnings about the country’s financial future, including investor Ray Dalio who explained fears over a crisis ‘worse than a recession’.

Now, Robert Kiyosaki has predicted that the next economic downfall could be worse than the Great Depression, which lasted from 1929 to 1939, and the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “In 2025 credit card debt is at all time highs. US debt is at all time highs. Unemployment is rising. 401 k’s are losing. Pensions are being stolen. USA may be heading for a GREATER DEPRESSION.

“In fact, in most of my books, such as Fake, Who Stole My Pension, and even Rich Dad Poor Dad…. warned of a coming financial disaster.

Donald Trump’s tariffs have seemingly impacted the US economy (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“People who heeded my warnings are doing well today. I am concerned for those who did not.”

The financial expert went on to claim there’s never been a better time to invest in Bitcoin as you could ‘come through this crisis a very rich person’.

Kiyosaki added: “I strongly believe, by 2035, that one Bitcoin will be over $1 million dollars. Gold will be $30k and silver $3,000 a coin.

“It will be the easiest money you ever made. Those who wait in fear… may be the biggest losers.

“This coming Great Depression will cause millions to be poor… and a few who take action, may enjoy great wealth and freedom.

“The giant crash I predicted… the crash that is occurring now… may be the opportunity of your lifetime… to achieve great wealth and more importantly… financial freedom.”

While the US economy has slowly but surely recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the US Department of Commerce, the first quarter of 2025 saw a decline for the first time in almost three years.

According to the expert, there could be less of this in your pocket (Getty Stock Image).

This could mainly be due to an increase in imports, with businesses stocking up on overseas goods due to impeding tariffs introduced by the Trump administration.

While inflation has dropped since its incredible high, it – as well as high interest rates – remains a concern for millions of Americans.

Kiyosaki warned: “Most people will be wiped out. But not you. Not if you start now.

“Study, learn, create a plan, and take action. Take care and best of luck.”

It will certainly be an interesting few years ahead for the US economy.