The recent upheaval in the Middle East has sent many U.S. investors running for the door. But in his latest article for Nasdaq.com, Validea CEO John Reese cautions against such emotional reactions, and says jittery investors might be better served by staying in the market but keying on defensive stocks.

“Yes, the situation in the Middle East bears watching. But keep in mind that the U.S. imports only about 80,000 barrels of oil a day from Libya, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration; by comparison, we get almost 2 million barrels a day from Canada,” Reese writes. “More importantly, I believe in sticking to a disciplined investing system. History has shown time and time again that ditching stocks when times get tough will often leave you selling low and buying high. Sticking to a long-term strategy is key to generating solid long-term returns.”

Reese highlights some of his more defense-oriented “Guru Strategies” — each of which is based on the approach of a different investing great — including his Benjamin Graham- and Warren Buffett-based models, and his Peter Lynch-inspired “stalwart” approach. And he offers five picks that those strategies are currently high on. To read the full article, click here.