Is it time to plan your ultimate getaway? No, not in terms of sand, sun, and a relaxing
ristretto on a quiet cobblestoned street. With two major conflicts involving two big powers
and a handful of others with potential to flare, it may be time for the timid to look at
where to go for their best chances at survival should the world’s wars turn into World
War. (Disclaimer: I don’t think we’re near there — yet).
For the soft westerner (like me), the first choice has to be New Zealand, a Superpower
in terms of isolation, yet with first-world creature comforts. With no land borders, no
strategic bases, and distant from hostile neighbors, it might well get overlooked in any
conflict that draws in other non-combatants without its geographic advantages. And you
can wait out the creation of the new world order without worrying about the groceries —
the country produces enough food annually for 40 million people, eight times its
population.
Not far behind is Switzerland, the world’s poster child for neutrality. Since its last foreign
war in 1815, it has created a hedgehog culture of defense involving most of its male
population, which would cause any belligerent maximum pain for little gain. Its
mountains create natural defenses, its political system prizes stability, and it boasts a
robust infrastructure. Not for the lactose intolerant, though.
True, Iceland is part of NATO. But with no standing army and a population of less than
500,000, it would likely be overlooked in any superpower confrontation. It’s also self-
sufficient in energy. And while it has to import grains, fruit, and vegetables, it has an
oversupply of meat and fish for hearty sauna culture survivalists on a carnivore diet.
Patagonia’s greatest asset is its emptiness. With vast stretches of land, low population
density, and minimal strategic value, it’s an unlikely place for any country to fight over. Its
remoteness from global flashpoints and its abundance of natural resources make it a
quiet, steady corner of the world. Be prepared, however, for a pioneer-like existence in a
region with little infrastructure and extreme weather that puts limits on living off the land.
And for those who want to go totally off the grid, may I suggest Indonesia’s outer
islands? Many of them lie well off major shipping routes, with small populations and little
military significance. Their tropical climate, natural resources, and distance from global
power centers make them a good choice in a world where, even today, being out of the
way is sometimes the best protection of all.
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