Why are the US, UK, Germany and Japan issuing strange ‘preparedness’ advisories

Former FBI officials and international preparedness advisories have amplified warnings regarding potential disruptions to civilian infrastructure, prompting calls for households to stock up on emergency supplies.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-23/uk-makes-quiet-shift-to-prepare-for-supply-chain-shortages

Daily Mail in the UK published an article on the advisories with a photo of a nuclear bomb exploding.

Advisories: Warnings and Context

• Former FBI Officials: Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and former 24-year FBI veteran Chris Swecker have urged Americans to prepare for sudden crises, citing potential foreign nuclear threats, cyberattacks, terrorism, and civil unrest. Bongino recommended keeping at least 30 days of food and water on hand, while other former officials and guidelines suggest basic kits ranging from 3 days to several months.
• The Pentagon’s “Fortress” Initiative: The U.S. military is preparing major installations to operate independently for up to 90 days without civilian power, external fuel, water, or global supply chains.
• International Campaigns: European nations—including the United Kingdom (via its “Be Ready” campaign), Sweden, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Ireland—as well as Japan have recently pushed public guidance for citizens to maintain several days to weeks of self-sufficiency due to cyber, climate, and geopolitical risks.

Recommended Preparedness Items

• Food & Water: Non-perishable food items (canned goods, dried beans, rice, protein bars) and a minimum baseline of water (typically budgeted at one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation).
• Power & Communication: Battery-powered or wind-up emergency radios, extra batteries, and alternate lighting or cooking sources (such as a grill or camp stove).
• Cash & Financial Backup: Physical cash, as devastating cyberattacks or power outages could temporarily disable electronic banking systems, credit card terminals, and ATMs.
• Emergency / Escape Bags: Go-bags containing basic medical supplies, water filtration tablets or systems, copies of important documents, and essential personal items.

For official USA baseline guidelines on disaster kits, consult the recommendations provided by Ready.gov or review media coverage on the alerts via The National Desk.

Reactions on X:

• Skepticism and Accusations of Fear-Mongering: Many users on X view the warnings as sensationalism, political posturing, or a marketing push for survivalist and prepper gear. Critics argue that high-profile figures like Bongino—who returned to podcasting and media commentary after leaving the FBI—are amplifying anxiety for clicks and audience engagement. [1]
• Support and “Prepper” Validation: Other accounts on X defend the advice, sharing lists of canned goods, water filtration tablets, hand-crank radios, and backup cash. These users point to real-world concerns like state-sponsored cyberattacks on critical infrastructure (energy and water grids), geopolitical tensions, and supply chain vulnerabilities as rational reasons to maintain a 3rd-party-independent household supply. [1, 2]
• Comparison to Official Guidelines: Some commentators on X note that standard emergency guidelines from agencies like Ready.gov historically recommend having at least 72 hours of supplies, making recommendations for 30 days or more feel like an extreme escalation to some, while others treat it as prudent given modern cyber and grid threats

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