2023 Current Estimated Defcon Level Today | Overall OSINT Alert Status Estimate

The current overall Defcon level OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) estimate is now Defcon level 3. Confused about the Defcon Level Warning System? Read the FAQ on our About Page.

We don't believe the current situation warrants a Defcon Level 2. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia's nuclear deterrent forces on alert in response to Western sanctions and rising tensions over Putin's invasion on Ukraine.

If the current Defcon level changes from the level it is at now, it will be reflected on the alert status above as well as in any of the Regional News Pages, where you will also find the current Defcon level alert status for each combatant command region and up to date news and news ticker for each region.

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September 29, 2023 - US Navy Conducts Scheduled Unarmed Trident II Missile Test From Submarine. "Launch was conducted from the sea, the missile flew over the sea and landed in the sea. At no time did the missile fly over land". Read more

September 29, 2023 - Released From North Korea, U.S. Soldier Now in Texas, Will Be Debriefed. "Private King arrived ... early in the morning to San Antonio, where he will be going through a reintegration program". Read more

September 29, 2023 - No U.S. Injuries After Iranian Patrol Craft Shone Laser At U.S. Attack Helicopter. IRGCN vessels shone a laser multiple times at the aircraft while in flight. Read more

September 28, 2023 - DOD: Key Official Says Shutdown Would Damage National Defense. Department of Defense: Congress has until the end of this week to fund the federal government or agree on a continuing resolution to keep the government funded. Read more

September 27, 2023 - American Soldier Returned To US Custody After Crossing Into North Korea. Travis King was transferred out of North Korea and into China with the aid of the Swedish government after North Korea said that they had completed their investigation of King. Read more

September 27, 2023 - Three Bahraini Soldiers Killed In Houthi Drone Attack. The incident risks escalating conflict in the region nearly a year and a half after Saudi Arabia agreed to a truce with the Houthi rebels. Read more

September 27, 2023 - Iran Reports Successful Imaging Satellite Launch. U.S. intelligence community’s 2022 threat assessment said that Iran obtaining launch vehicles for satellites "shortens the timeline," for the country to develop an ICBM. Read more

September 27, 2023 - Chinese Military Aircraft & PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan. The number of military aircraft spotted today is substantially higher than normal. Read more

September 27, 2023 - US Southern Border Update - Last 7 Days Of Major Activity. Statements from the U.S. Department of State, Justice Department, Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Read more

September 27, 2023 - Oversight Committee: Wires from China Have Joe Biden’s Wilmington Home as the Beneficiary Address. Such transactions and connections in relation to both the former office of the Vice President and the current office of the President of the United States pose a risk to national security. Read more

September 26, 2023 - Israel Attacking Hamas In Gaza Strip With Unmanned Aircraft, Helicopter, Tank: "A short time ago, the IDF attacked, using a remotely manned aircraft, a military position of the terrorist organization Hamas". Read more

September 26, 2023 - Philippines Condemns & Removes Chinese "Floating Barrier" At Scarborough Shoal. While the Philippines said that the shoal is Philippine territory, China said in its own statement that it has always been Chinese territory. Read more

September 26, 2023 - CBP Senior Official met with senior officials from the Government of Mexico and the railway industry in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico Friday to discuss action to address enhanced border security operations in response to increased encounters. Read more

September 25, 2023 - Texas Governor Renews Border Disaster Declaration Amid "Historic Influx". The mayor of Eagle Pass, Texas also declared a state of emergency for the city after 5,000 illegal immigrants crossed over the border from Piedras Negras, Mexico. Read more

September 25, 2023 - Israel Defense Force (IDF): "The IDF attacked a military position of the terrorist organization Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip". Read more

September 25, 2023 - U.S. Central Command forces successfully conducted a helicopter raid in northern Syria. Read more

September 25, 2023 - NATO: Italy Executed First Scramble Out Of Poland Intercepting Russian Aircraft. The F35s intercepted 2 Russian Su-30s which were not on a flight plan & had no contact with Air Traffic control. Read more

September 25, 2023 - Japan: Defense of Japan regarding China-Russia coordination. "Activities are clearly intended for demonstration of force against Japan". Also, Japan on military activities by North Korea: Read more

September 24, 2023 - Taiwan Reports Chinese Military Activity At Dacheng Bay. Taiwan's Ministry of Defense: "[Taiwanese] Armed Forces are closely monitoring the situation with our ISR system in response". Read more

September 24, 2023 - Russian Foreign Minister Says West Directly Fighting Russia. Lavrov: "You can call it anything you want, but they are fighting with us, they are straight-up fighting with us". Read more

September 23, 2023 - Coast Guard Rescues 5 From Sailing Vessel During Tropical Storm Ophelia. The Coast Guard rescued five people Friday from an anchored 38-foot catamaran that was beset by weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Ophelia. Storm Projections: Read more

September 22, 2023 - The Captain of the Port for Coast Guard Sector Virginia has set Port Condition Zulu for the Port of Virginia at 4 p.m. Friday due to predicted tropical storm force winds generated by Tropical Storm Ophelia. Read more

September 22, 2023 - Taiwan's Defense Minister says that China's recent military activity around the island of Taiwan is "quite abnormal" and added that they believe China is carrying out joint land, sea, air, and amphibious exercises. Read more

September 22, 2023 - Israel Carrying Out Strikes On Hamas Terrorist Organization In Gaza Strip. The IDF reported using a remotely manned aircraft and a tank, while the Israeli Air Force reported using a remotely manned aircraft. Read more

September 22, 2023 - DoD Announces $325 Million In Security Assistance For Ukraine. DoD: The package includes additional AIM-9M missiles and other air defense equipment, artillery rounds, including over 3 million small arms ammunition, antitank weapons, light tactical vehicles. Read more

September 22, 2023 - US Deploys Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) To Japan For The First Time. Before arriving in Japan, USVDIV-1 had participated in the Navy and Marine Corpse' Large Scale Exercise 2023. Read more

September 21, 2023 - US Homeland Security Investigations announces Strategy for Combatting Illicit Opioids. HSI: The strategy announced today uses HSI’s unique access to customs and financial data to prevent shipments of drug precursor chemicals from reaching U.S. borders. Read more

September 21, 2023 - U.S. Strengthening Deterrence in Taiwan Strait. DOD: "A major conflict in the strait would result in thousands of casualties and jeopardize more than $2 trillion dollars in global economic activity, igniting a global economic depression." Read more

September 21, 2023 - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said that an arms deal between Russia and North Korea would be considered a "direct provocation" against the South. Last week Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is looking to expand ties with North Korea in all possible areas. Read more

September 20, 2023 - Small Arms Fire Near US Embassy In Lebanon. Beirut Embassy: Small arms fire has been reported near the United States embassy in Lebanon "in the vicinity of the entrance to the US embassy". Read more

September 20, 2023 - Kremlin: Telephone Conversation Between Russian President And Armenian Prime Minister. Russia: "At the initiative of the Armenian side, Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan". Read more

September 20, 2023 - City Of Eagle Pass, Texas Issues Emergency Declaration Over Illegal Immigrant Surge. City of Eagle Pass, Texas: "Eagle Pass, TX – Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. issued and signed an emergency declaration due to the severe undocumented immigrant surge into the City of Eagle Pass, Texas". Read more

September 20, 2023 - According to Taiwan's Ministry of defense 15 Chinese military aircraft and 6 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 20th, 2023. Read more

September 20, 2023 - Ceasefire Reached In Azerbaijan After "Anti-Terrorist Operation" On Separatist Armenian Forces. Nearly 100 people had been killed in the fighting, and hundreds more wounded. Read more

September 19, 2023 - Japan Reports Chinese Naval Activity Around Islands, Says China/Taiwan Military Balance Tilting In China's Favor. "While China has intensified its coercive military activities around Taiwan, following the aggression against Ukraine, Taiwan is enhancing its own defense capabilities." Read more

September 19, 2023 - According to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense 55 Chinese military aircraft and 7 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around Taiwan on September 19th, 2023. The number of spotted military aircraft remains highly elevated. Read more

September 18, 2023 - Russia: Pro-American Coalition MQ-9 Drone Dangerously Approached A Russian Su-35 Aircraft In Syria. A Russian Ministry of Defense statement said that the incident occurred on a scheduled flight along the northern Syrian border to control the airspace of the Syrian Arab Republic. Read more

September 18, 2023 - US Foreign Military Sales To Canada, Poland, Korea Totaling $5.7 Billion. To Korea: F-35 aircraft & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, Poland: F-16 sustainment, and related equipment, Canada: MQ-9B munitions and other integrated systems. Read more

September 18, 2023 - According to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense 103 Chinese military aircraft and 9 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around Taiwan on September 18th, 2023, setting a new single day record for military aircraft spotted around the island. Read more

September 16, 2023 - IAEA: Iran Has Removed A Third Of The Inspectors Designated For Iran. Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanani claimed that "The United States, Great Britain, Germany, and France politicized the IAEA Board of Governors for their own interests". Read more

September 16, 2023 - Department of Defense Exercises Option on Second Micro Nuclear Reactor Design. A micro-nuclear reactor (mobile nuclear reactor) can be made small and portable, is self-adjusting and would be able to be transported by land, sea or by air. Read more

September 16, 2023 - Russian Aircraft & Chinese Naval Forces Navigating Around Japanese Islands. Japan Reports Russian Ilyushin Il-20 Aircraft & Chinese Naval Forces Navigating Around Japanese Islands. Read more

September 16, 2023 - Chinese Military Aircraft & PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan September 16th, 2023. The number of PLAN vessels spotted today is higher than normal, military aircraft are slightly higher than normal. Read more

September 16, 2023 - 46 Illegal aliens "determined to be a threat to national security" were removed by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Read more

September 16, 2023 - Hurricane Lee Update - Information, Satellite Images, And Coast Guard Statement regarding the status of Hurricane Lee affecting portions of southern New Brunswick and Nova Scotia: Read more

September 15, 2023 - NORAD Detects Russian Aircraft Operating In The Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. Read more

September 14, 2023 - Japan Reports Chinese Naval Vessels Navigating Around Japanese Islands. Japan reports Chinese naval vessels navigating north of Tsushima (Nagasaki Prefecture) and sailing through the Tsushima Strait toward the East China Sea: Read more

September 14, 2023 - NATO Surveillance Drone Conducts First Mission Over Finland. "The unmanned aircraft, traveling at high altitudes above Allies’ territories and in international airspace, collected data for Allies to support their collective deterrence and defense". Read more

September 14, 2023 - Hurricane Lee Update For September 14th, 2023. Tropical storm conditions are possible over a large part of coastal New England, including Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Block Island, and parts of Atlantic Canada. Read more

September 14, 2023 - China Pressing Ahead With Rapid Land Reclamation, Intensifying Military Activities Around Japan. Japan: China’s military activities are a matter of serious concern for Japan & international community and an unprecedented strategic challenge. Read more

September 14, 2023 - Syrian state media has reported an attack on "some sites" located within the countryside of Tartous and Hama, which it attributed to airstrikes by Israel. Read more

September 14, 2023 - Japan's Ministry of Defense Reports Chinese Naval Activity Around Southern And Southwestern Japanese Islands. Read more

September 14, 2023 - Chinese Military Aircraft & PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan September 14th, 2023. The number of aircraft and vessels spotted today is substantially higher than normal. Read more

September 13, 2023 - According to the South Korean military North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles from Sunan toward the East Sea. Read more

September 13, 2023 - Haiti Security Alert - Border Between Haiti & the Dominican Republic: The Government of the Dominican Republic has announced the possible closure of air, sea, and land borders between the Dominican Republic and Haiti as of Thursday, September 14th. Read more

September 13, 2023 - Over 5,000 Presumed Dead, At Least 10,000 Missing After Floods In Libya. Floods in Libya, North Africa caused by Mediterranean storm Daniel resulted in dams bursting in the city of Derna. Read more

September 12, 2023 - US waives Sanctions On Iran, Gives $6 Billion In Frozen Funds In Exchange For Prisoner Swap. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the deal between the United States and Iran, saying that it would only give Iran more funds to fund Iranian-backed terrorist organizations. Read more

September 11, 2023 - North America Hurricane Status For September 11th, 2023. "Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to begin along most of the U.S. East Coast Sunday and Monday and worsen through the week". Read more

September 11, 2023 - United States - 32 illegal immigrant criminals and 10 human traffickers were arrested during nationwide Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) between August and September 2023. Read more

September 11, 2023 - Chinese Military Aircraft & PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan September 11th, 2023. The number of military aircraft and vessels spotted is both substantially higher than usual today. Read more

September 11, 2023 - Six New Members To Join BRICS, Move Towards Establishing A Single Currency. Countries set to join the economic alliance: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which would take effect January 1st, 2024. Read more

September 10, 2023 - Over 2,000 people have been found dead and 2,059 injured, 1,404 seriously due to the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco, Northern Africa. The number is likely to rise as casualties are assessed. Pager fatality and economic risk changed to RED. Read more

September 8, 2023 - A 6.8 earthquake has hit Oukaïmedene, Morocco in Northern Africa at a depth of 18.5 kilometers (11.5 miles deep). Economic pager risk: Orange, Fatality Risk: Yellow. Read more

September 8, 2023 - Embassy In Chile: Demonstration Alert for September 9-11, 2023. "From Sept. 9-11, possible protests related to the 50th anniversary of Chile’s Sept. 11, 1973, military coup in the Santiago Metropolitan Region and outlying communities". Read more

September 8, 2023 - Japan Spots Russian Navy Surveillance Boat Around Japanese Islands, Holds Japan/US Talks. On September 7th, Japan spotted a Russian Vishnya-class intelligence gathering ship sailing west through the Soya Strait. Read more

September 8, 2023 - North Korea Introduces New "Tactical Nuclear Submarine". North Korean leader Kim Jong Un: New submarine launching expresses not only readiness but also "rounding off the preparations for a revolutionary war". Read more

September 8, 2023 - Philippines: Four Chinese Coast Guard Vessels Carried Out "Dangerous Maneuvers" Around Philippine PCG Vessels And Resupply Boats. The CCG and CMM have increasingly been involved in the harassment of Philippine vessels around the region of the Spratly Islands which are claimed by multiple nations. Read more

September 8, 2023 - US Coast Guard At Condition X-Ray Due To Hurricane Lee: Today's Updates. "Currently, the Coast Guard Port Condition status for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands remains at Port Condition X-Ray". Read more

September 8, 2023 - US Moving US Forces Based In Niger Out Of Capital As "Precautionary Measure". "There is no threat to American troops and no threat of violence on the ground. This is simply a precautionary measure". Read more

September 7, 2023 - Russia Responds To US Decision To Send Depleted Uranium Shells To Ukraine. Although mainstream reports that Russian claims about depleted uranium shells are “disinformation,” statements by the U.S. government on the dangers are mixed: Read more

September 7, 2023 - Biden Administration Announces $600 Million In Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine. The package includes: 20 Mi-17 helicopters, 31 Abrams tanks, 45 T-72B tanks, 38 HMARS, 198 155mm Howitzers, Ground-Launched small-diameter bomb launchers, a Patriot Air Defense System, and more: Read more

September 7, 2023 - Hurricane Lee And Jova Updates: September 7th, 2023. Hurricane Lee is rapidly strengthening. Large swells are likely to reach the Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico this weekend. More info: Read more

September 7, 2023 - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) carried out a National Operation from August 4th to August 25th, 2023, arresting 48 illegal immigrants and foreign criminals in Colorado, Texas and Utah. Read more

September 7, 2023 - Coast Guard sets Port Condition WHISKEY for seaports in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Tropical Storm Lee. "The Coast Guard strongly cautions the maritime community to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions as Tropical Storm Lee approaches the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico". Read more

September 6, 2023 - Timeline of United States security assistance to Ukraine: In total, the United States has committed more than $43.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, and $66.6 Billion in total aid since the beginning of the Biden Administration. Read more

September 6, 2023 - DOD: AUKUS Partnership Strengthens Indo-Pacific Security, Seeing Successes In Indo-Pacific Strategy. Australia has demonstrated a commitment to purchasing conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. See full report: Read more

September 6, 2023 - DoD: $175 Million In Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine, Including Depleted Uranium Rounds. The package “includes additional air defense equipment; artillery munitions; anti-tank weapons, including depleted uranium rounds for previously committed Abrams tanks; and other equipment”. Read more

September 6, 2023 - Air Force Tests Minuteman III ICBM With 3 Re-entry Vehicles. The Air Force Global Strike Command launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with three test re-entry vehicles. Read more

September 6, 2023 - Officials: Chinese Citizens Intrude On US Military Bases Up To 100 Times. Officials believe they are attempts to test the security protocols at the sites by Chinese citizens who have been "pressed into service" and told to report their findings back to the CCP. Read more

September 5, 2023 - Security Alert – U. S. Embassy Libreville, Gabon, Central Africa: The airport and borders are now open. The Libreville airport is open for domestic and international flights. Instructions for curfew in effect: Read more

September 5, 2023 - After a March funding request to the U.S. Congress, and news reports indicated that the United States may be planning to store nuclear warheads in England, Russia called the possibility an "escalation". Read more

September 4, 2023 - IAEA: No Mines Or Explosives Found On ZNPP Unit 3 And 4 Reactor Building Rooftops. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said that they gained "unimpeded" access to the rooftops of two reactor units, but that the team heard a series of detonations the night before. Read more

September 4, 2023 - Ukraine claims Russian drones detonated in NATO member Romania, says they have photographic evidence. Romania denies claim. Read more

September 4, 2023 - US Military May Build Port On Philippine Island Close To Taiwan. The United States military is currently talking about possibly building a port on a Philippine island close to Taiwan. Read more

September 3, 2023 - Operation Northwoods Unclassified Document. Subject: "Justification for US military intervention in Cuba". Read more

September 3, 2023 - NGA, NRO, USSPACECOM Plan For Threats To Commercial Satellites. “Space is an extremely contested environment, and it’s only getting more so". Read more

September 3, 2023 - The Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party stressed the need for the North to take "offensive actions" to make the U.S. and South Korea clearly understand the situation's "seriousness". Read more

September 3, 2023 - Maui Wildfire Updates - September 3rd, 2023. The number of people declared dead as a result of the Maui wildfire remains at 115, with an unknown number still missing or unaccounted for. Read more

September 3, 2023 - 3,000 people have been evacuated from locations in Taiwan most at risk from Typhoon Haikui (Hanna) as it moves toward the island and is expected to make landfall at around 5 pm local time on Sunday (9 am UTC). Read more

September 2, 2023 - Defense Department: 400 Troops on the US southern border has been extended while 1,500 were withdrawn and sent home. Read more

September 1, 2023 - North Korea Fires Cruise Missiles Into Yellow Sea. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that the North began launching cruise missiles at about 4 in the morning. Read more

September 1, 2023 - Belarus has claimed that a Polish military helicopter violated the Belarusian border. Poland has denied the claims and said that there was no such violation. Read more

September 1, 2023 - Russia: Sarmat "Satan II" MERV Equipped ICBM Put On Combat Duty. Russia has put the new generation of Sarmat "Satan II" intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) systems into combat duty. Read more

September 1, 2023 - USSCOCOM Awards Contract To Deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool To Detect Disinformation Threats. What the AI threat detection software Argus does, and its potential to be used as a tool to target Americans Read more

Be sure to check the current Defcon level warning system Intel Page for the latest official declassified and unclassified intelligence report releases and documents and other intel. Note: classified intelligence is not posted, but leaked intel is occasionally posted.

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