DEFCON Alerts
Intelligence alerts on military activity, geopolitical developments, and regional security - updated daily
What Are DEFCON Alerts?
DEFCON Alerts are intelligence reports covering military movements, geopolitical developments, and security incidents across all U.S. Combatant Command regions. Each alert goes through verification before publication - we cross-reference official statements, satellite imagery analysis, and field reports from our network of contributors. The goal is to provide you with accurate, timely information you can trust.
Alerts are organized by region (Middle East, Europe, Indo-Pacific, Africa, Americas) and tagged by the responsible Combatant Command. This structure mirrors how the U.S. military organizes its global operations, making it easier to track specific areas of concern.
Priority Levels Explained
- Critical - Time-sensitive developments or major military actions with added context and sources
- High - Significant developments affecting regional security posture
- Elevated - Notable events worth monitoring for potential escalation
- Standard - Routine updates on ongoing situations and background context
For priority alerts delivered directly to your inbox, subscribe on Defcon Alerts (Substack). The site has provided OSINT-based threat intelligence since 2013.
Browse Alerts by Command
Global Conflict Map
Live snapshot of conflict locations and tension zones worldwide.
Go deeper with the data
Guides, timelines, and calculators to help you understand today's risks.
U.S. Central Command Confirms Self-Defense Strikes in Southern Iran After Explosions Near Bandar Abbas
STRAIT OF HORMUZ - U.S. Central Command confirmed self-defense strikes in southern Iran on May 25 targeting missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines.
Read the Full Alert
Rocket Attack Strikes Iranian Opposition Camp North of Erbil, Wounding Fighters
KURDISTAN REGION, IRAQ - A rocket attack struck an Iranian opposition camp north of Erbil in Iraq’s Kurdistan region on May 25, wounding two fighters initially.
Read the Full Alert
Somali Forces Conduct Operations Against Al-Shabaab in Middle Shabelle, Bay, and Hiiraan Regions
SOMALIA - Somali Armed Forces and National Intelligence and Security Agency units carried out continued operations against Al-Shabaab. The operations covered Middle Shabelle, Bay, and Hiiraan regions.
Read the Full Alert
FBI Director Confirms Shots Fired Near White House Grounds; Investigation Ongoing
Multiple gunshots were heard near the White House, prompting Secret Service agents to direct journalists on the North Lawn into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room for safety. Counter-snipers appeared on the roof, and the White House briefly locked down while DC Fire and EMS responded near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Read the Full Alert
US Embassy Kyiv and Zelensky Warn of Potential Russian Combined Missile Strike Including Oreshnik on Ukraine
UKRAINE - The US Embassy in Kyiv released a security alert on May 23 saying that it had received information concerning a potentially significant air attack that may occur at any time within the next 24 hours. Video: Oreshnik on Dnipro Ukraine on November 21, 2024.
Read the Full Alert
US Issues Title 42 Order Suspending Entry from Ebola-Affected Countries in Central Africa
CENTRAL AFRICA - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an order on May 18 suspending the right to introduce covered aliens, a legal term that refers to foreign nationals who are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and who have departed from or we
Read the Full Alert
Iran Issues NOTAM Closing Most Airports in Western Tehran FIR Until May 25
MIDDLE EAST, On May 22 Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority issued NOTAM OIIX A1010/26 closing all airports in the western part of Tehran FIR.
Read the Full Alert
Somali Military Airstrike Kills Six Al-Shabaab Militants in Lower Shabelle
EAST AFRICA - The Somali military carried out an airstrike in the Ugunji area of Lower Shabelle on May 22 targeting Al-Shabaab militants who had regrouped within the location.
Read the Full Alert
Russian Jets Intercept RAF Rivet Joint Over Black Sea, Lithuania Issues Public Air Alert After Suspected Drone Near Belarus
NATO EASTERN FLANK - Russian military jets intercepted a UK Royal Air Force Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft operating in international airspace over the Black Sea in April, closing to within six meters and triggering the aircraft’s onboard emergency systems. The RAF crew completed the mission sa
Read the Full Alert
U.S. Continues To Enforce Maritime Blockade Against Iran as IRGC Navy Asserts Coordination Over Strait of Hormuz Transits
STRAIT OF HORMUZ - U.S. Central Command continued enforcement of the maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports on May 20, deploying a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter to patrol near a commercial vessel transiting regional waters.
Read the Full Alert
NATO Romanian F-16 Shoots Down Stray Drone Over Baltic Airspace
BALTIC REGION - Latvian Armed Forces sensors identified a potential threat in Latvian airspace shortly before 11:00 a.m. on May 19. NATO allies responded with immediate information sharing, Estonian tracking, and interception by Romanian F-16s operating from Šiauliai under the Baltic Air Policing mission.
Read the Full Alert
U.S.-Nigeria Carry Out Additional Coordinated Strikes Against ISIS in Northeastern Nigeria
NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA - U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with the Government of Nigeria, conducted additional strikes against ISIS militants on May 18. U.
Read the Full Alert
Routine Unarmed Minuteman III ICBM Operational Test Launch GT 256 Scheduled at Vandenberg Space Force Base
CALIFORNIA - An operational test launch of an Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is scheduled between 12:01 and 6:01 a.m. Pacific Time on May 20 from the northern portion of Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Read the Full Alert
Nigeria Reports More Than 20 ISIS Fighters Killed in Second Metele Strike
AFRICA - U.S. and Nigerian forces widened a coordinated air campaign against the Islamic State in northern Borno State on May 17, hitting ISIS and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters near Metele the day after the operation that killed the group’s most senior Lake Chad Basin commander
Read the Full Alert
UAE Air Defenses Intercept Three UAVs Near Barakah Nuclear Power Plant
GULF REGION - The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense announced that on May 17 that its air defense systems intercepted three unmanned aerial vehicles that entered the country from the western border direction.
Read the Full Alert
Counter-terrorism Decapitation Strike: Joint US-Nigerian Operation Eliminates ISIS Global Deputy Abu-Bilal al-Minuki
WEST AFRICA - Nigerian Armed Forces, in close coordination with United States forces, conducted a joint counter-terrorism operation overnight that...
Read the Full Alert
Somalia: NISA Conducts Targeted Operations Against al-Shabaab Leadership in Hiran Region
SOMALIA - On May 15 the Somalian National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) carried out planned operations in the Buq-aqable area of Hiran region against al-Shabaab.
Read the Full Alert
Finnish Defense Forces Enhance Surveillance and Response Capabilities After Reports of Drones Potentially Straying Into Finland
FINLAND - The Finnish Defense Forces immediately enhanced their own surveillance and response capabilities after receiving information early in the morning on Friday, May 15, about drones possibly straying into Finland.
Read the Full Alert
Possible Airspace Threat Reported in Eastern Latvia; NATO Baltic Air Policing Fighters Activated
Description: Latvian National Armed Forces reported a possible airspace threat in Kraslava, Ludza, Balvi, and Rezekne municipalities on May 14, activating NATO Baltic Air Policing fighters; this follows identical alerts in the same eastern region earlier in May. LATVIA - Latvia’s National Armed Forces reported a possible threat in the country’s airspace over the Kraslava, Ludza, Balvi, and Rezekne municipalities in the eastern Latgale region on May 14. The military stated that it is continuously monitoring the airspace together with NATO allies to ensure immediate response capability to potential threats.
Read the Full Alert
Hungary Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Strikes on Zakarpattia Oblast
EUROPE - Hungary summoned Russia’s ambassador on May 14 after Russian drone strikes reached Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine’s westernmost region sharing a direct border with Hungary, on May 13.
Read the Full AlertGet Real-Time Alerts
Subscribe to receive instant notifications when critical developments occur. Priority alerts delivered directly to your inbox with expert analysis and verified sources.
Scan to open / share