Raised Alerts
Live DEFCON readiness status and priority alerts from commands at elevated levels.
What Are Raised Alerts?
Defcon Level tracks 14 commands: 11 official U.S. Combatant Commands and 3 monitoring commands (biological threats, natural disasters, and financial stability). Each carries an OSINT-estimated DEFCON readiness level from DEFCON 5 (normal peacetime) to DEFCON 1 (maximum readiness). When a command's estimated level is below DEFCON 5, it is considered "raised." This page shows only alerts from commands currently at raised status.
Alerts are grouped by priority. Breaking alerts cover fast-moving situations that may update within hours. Critical alerts address time-sensitive military or geopolitical developments with potential for escalation. High alerts track significant events affecting regional stability. Each alert is sourced from official statements, government public affairs offices, allied communications, and verified open-source intelligence.
The command grid below shows the current readiness level for every tracked command. The nuclear risk level is assessed separately from individual command readiness and appears below the command grid.
For all alerts including standard-priority updates from commands at normal readiness, visit the main Alerts page. For a breakdown of the indicators behind each command's current readiness estimate, see Raised Levels.
Energy Markets and Global Trade Corridors
CENTCOM's area of responsibility covers the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of global petroleum liquids transit each year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. USPACOM's area of responsibility includes the South China Sea, through which an estimated one-third of global seaborne trade passes annually, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Together, these regions encompass several of the world's most significant maritime energy and trade corridors.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration tracks conditions in both regions as part of its global petroleum supply monitoring, publishing regular assessments of chokepoint risk for energy transit. CISA maintains a public advisory feed at cisa.gov covering active cyber threats to critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, transportation, and financial systems. Current commodity prices, defense sector data, and financial impact analysis are available on the Financial Alerts page.
Current Command Readiness Levels
14 Commands RaisedCurrent OSINT-estimated DEFCON levels for all 14 tracked commands. Commands below DEFCON 5 are considered raised, reflecting open-source indicators that suggest elevated regional readiness. These are estimates, not official government data. Select any command for details and regional alerts.
Geographic Commands
AFRICOM
Africa Command
Raised
CENTCOM
Central Command
Raised
EUCOM
European Command
Raised
INDOPACOM
U.S. Pacific Command
Raised
NORTHCOM
Northern Command
Raised
SOUTHCOM
Southern Command
RaisedFunctional Commands
Current Nuclear Risk Level (OSINT Estimate)
Increased intelligence watch and strengthened security measures. Above normal readiness.
This is an OSINT estimate. Confirmed nuclear readiness status is classified and not publicly released. Assessment derived from open-source intelligence, official government statements, and publicly available data.
Civilian Readiness During Elevated Conditions
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that households maintain emergency supply kits covering a minimum of 72 hours of water, food, medications, and critical documents, as a baseline measure independent of current threat conditions. Ready.gov provides standardized checklists covering shelter-in-place procedures, evacuation planning, and family communication protocols. Supply chain status and preparedness guidance by threat level are available on the Preparedness page.
Emergency preparedness planning covers both physical supplies and financial readiness, including emergency fund sizing and insurance coverage for extended disruption scenarios. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides household financial preparedness guidance at consumerfinance.gov and recommends maintaining liquid reserves covering three to six months of essential expenses. Asset protection strategies and portfolio considerations during periods of geopolitical instability are covered on the Financial Readiness page.
Raised Readiness Alerts
The following alerts are from commands currently operating at elevated readiness (below DEFCON 5). Alerts are grouped by priority: Breaking, Critical, High, and Standard.
Alert Additional Raised Alerts
U.S. Africa Command and Somali Forces Launch Airstrikes Eliminating Dozens of al-Shabaab Militants in Jilib
Venezuelan Air Defenses Target Unauthorized Drones Over Caracas, US Denies Involvement
Security personnel opened fire after unauthorized drones were spotted flying over the airspace of the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. The United States has denied involvement in the incident, which was corroborated by a statement from the Venezuelan government on the matter....
Britain, France Carry Out Airstrikes Against ISIS Underground Facility In Syria
Britain and France have carried out joint airstrikes against ISIS tunnels and underground facilities in Syria, according to a statement by the British Ministry of Defense....
Border Clashes Between Pakistan and Afghanistan Kill Five
Officials from both nations traded accusations, with each side claiming the other initiated the violence amid unresolved disputes over militant sanctuaries....
Turkish Interception of Uncontrolled UAV in Black Sea Airspace Amid Recent Strikes On Ukrainian Ports Damaging Turkish Civilian Vessels
The incident occurred amid heightened maritime security challenges in the Black Sea, including mid-December strikes on Ukrainian ports that damaged multiple Turkish-owned or operated civilian vessels....
Suspicious Maritime Activity Involving Small Craft West of Yemen Leads To Exchange Of Fire
The small craft departed the area following the engagement, with no casualties reported among the crew and the vessel proceeding to its next port of call....
IRGC Seizes Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz
This incident follows a pattern of recent increased Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy maritime enforcement in the region....
Iraq Confirms Complete Cessation of Iranian Gas Supplies, Resulting in 4,000-4,500 MW Generation Capacity Loss
The suspension has directly increased the need for load-shedding and extended the duration of planned and unplanned outages across multiple governorates....
U.S. State Department: Response to China’s Military Exercise Near Taiwan
"We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue."...
North Korea Amends Constitution to Define Southern Border with South Korea and Assign Nuclear Command to Leader Kim Jong Un
KOREAN PENINSULA, North Korea has amended its Socialist Constitution to introduce the country’s first explicit territorial definition while removing all references to reunification, national unity, and the achievements of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. The amendments assign command authority over nuclear forces to the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission and allow delegation of that authority to a national nuclear warfare command organization. Kim Jong Un was re-elected president o......
U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker Lost Over Western Iraq During Operation Epic Fury; All Six Crew Confirmed Dead
CENTCOM’s initial statement confirmed two aircraft were involved: one crashed, and the second landed safely....
Iranian State Media Confirms Supreme Leader Khamenei's Death in US-Israeli Strikes
While some commentators have noted the absence of funeral footage, this is contradicted by multi-party confirmation from US, Israeli, and Iranian state media sources....
U.S. Air Force Prepares for Minuteman III ICBM Test Launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base
This event, managed by Space Launch Delta 30, focuses on validating the weapon system’s effectiveness, readiness, and accuracy. ...
Sweden: Russian Drone Intrusion In Territorial Waters Near French Carrier Charles de Gaulle in Öresund Strait, Russia Denies As Absurd
Sweden's Armed Forces confirm a Russian drone was launched from the signals intelligence ship Zhigulevsk in the Öresund Strait during the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle's visit to Malmö....
U.S. Military High-Energy Laser System Accidentally Downs CBP Drone Near Fort Hancock, Texas, Prompting FAA Airspace Closure
Congressional aides stated the incident occurred in an area frequently used by drug-cartel drones crossing from Mexico....
U.S. Declassifies Seismic Evidence Confirming Lop Nur Nuclear Explosion In 2020
U.S. analysts estimate a yield of approximately 10 tons nuclear (or 5 tons conventional equivalent), assuming the blast was fully contained in solid rock....
US Responds After Cuban Border Guards Kill Four in Clash with Florida-Registered Speedboat Near Villa Clara
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that American authorities are conducting an independent investigation and will not rely solely on Cuban-provided information...
Cuban Border Guard Troops Engage U.S.-Registered Speedboat in Territorial Waters, Killing Four and Injuring Six
In the exchange that followed, the Embassy said that four individuals on the U.S. registered vessel were killed and six were injured....
NORAD and NORTHCOM Initiate Arctic Edge 2026 Multi-Domain Field Training Exercise in Alaska and Greenland
All training activities in Greenland proceed in full coordination with the Kingdom of Denmark. ...
U.S. Southern Command Directs Lethal Kinetic Strikes on Vessels Linked to Designated Terrorist Organizations in Caribbean and Eastern Pacific
On February 23, SOUTHCOM directed a lethal kinetic strike in the Caribbean, while a separate strike on February 20 targeted a vessel in the Eastern Pacific. ...
Jalisco New Generation Cartel Retaliation After Reported Death of Leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes Prompts Shelter-in-Place Orders in Puerto Vallarta
Shootouts with security forces and explosions occurred in the area. A shelter-in-place order took effect in Puerto Vallarta, with all taxi and rideshare services suspended until further notice....
Pakistan Conducts Precision Airstrikes on Seven Militant Camps in Eastern Afghanistan Following Suicide Bombings
The operation, described by Pakistani officials as selective and precision-guided, responded to a series of suicide bombings inside Pakistan during Ramadan...
US Reaches Strike-Ready Posture with Two Carrier Strike Groups and B-2 Bombers as Iran Conducts Rocket Launches and Joint Naval Drills with Russia
The United Kingdom has not granted permission for the US to use Diego Garcia or RAF Fairford for any strike on Iran, citing concerns over international law....
Trump Opposes UK-Mauritius Diego Garcia Lease, Cites Potential Need for Iran Contingency Operations
President Trump has publicly opposed the UK-Mauritius 99-year lease of Diego Garcia, warning Prime Minister Starmer the arrangement risks undermining US access to this key Indian Ocean base....
Syrian Army Secures Al-Shaddadi Base Following US-Coordinated Withdrawal in Northeastern Syria
US forces withdrew from al-Shaddadi around early February, with convoys transporting equipment and detainees toward Iraq. ...
U.S. Forces Execute Airstrike Against ISIS-Somalia in Gollis Mountains as Somali Operation Hidden Sword Secures Advances in Lower Shabelle
Somali forces achieved territorial gains in Lower Shabelle through Operation Hidden Sword, with the January 15 engagement in Bulunagaad resulting in significant militant losses....
U.S. Executes Sustained Precision Strikes Against ISIS Targets in Syria Following Deadly Ambush
U.S. Central Command delivered precision munitions via fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft to dismantle infrastructure and weapons storage sites....
U.S. Forces Complete ISIS Detainee Transfer from Syria to Iraq Amid Al-Tanf Base Withdrawal
This operation followed the orderly departure of U.S. forces from al-Tanf Garrison on February 11, as part of consolidating American military locations in the country....
US Marine Declared Deceased After Overboard Incident Aboard USS Iwo Jima During Caribbean Operations
The incident occurred while the vessel was conducting routine operations in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment....
USS Truxtun and USNS Supply Collide During Replenishment Operation
Two personnel sustained minor injuries and remain in stable condition. Both vessels continue to sail safely while an investigation proceeds....
Raised Alerts: Frequently Asked Questions
What does raised command readiness mean for civilians?
Raised readiness on this site reflects OSINT indicators suggesting a command may be operating at elevated alert levels. It does not represent an official government declaration and does not indicate an imminent emergency. Civilians monitoring conditions can track official guidance through Ready.gov, cisa.gov, and the State Department's travel advisory system for affected regions.
How are readiness estimates calculated?
Readiness levels are OSINT estimates derived from official government statements, military public affairs releases, verified open-source reporting, and publicly available satellite imagery. They are not based on classified intelligence and do not represent official government assessments. The methodology behind site readiness estimates is described on the Current Level page.
How often do command readiness levels change?
Command readiness levels are updated when new OSINT indicators warrant a change. Some commands hold elevated readiness for extended periods tied to sustained regional conditions, while others fluctuate with specific events. The Raised Levels page provides trend data and recent changes for each tracked command.
How is the nuclear risk level different from command readiness?
The nuclear risk level is a site-wide OSINT estimate of global nuclear threat posture, assessed independently from individual command readiness levels. It reflects open-source indicators from nuclear-armed states, arms control treaty reporting, and publicly available strategic posture statements. Detailed coverage, including current assessment and historical context, is available on the Nuclear Threat Level page.
Where can I find official emergency guidance?
Primary civilian guidance sources include Ready.gov for general emergency preparedness, cisa.gov for cybersecurity and infrastructure advisories, and the State Department's travel advisory portal for region-specific alerts. The Department of Homeland Security's public advisory system covers domestic threat conditions, and FEMA's Emergency Management Institute provides training resources for community preparedness at training.fema.gov.
Stay Informed on Raised Alerts
Subscribe to receive notifications when commands raise their readiness levels or when breaking alerts are published.
Related Pages
Monitor readiness conditions, financial market impact, cybersecurity threat activity, and emergency preparedness status across all commands and threat categories.
Raised Levels
Current readiness levels for all commands with trend data and recent changes.
Current DEFCON Level
Global threat assessment and live readiness status.
Financial Alerts
Market impact analysis, commodity prices, and economic risk during elevated conditions.
Cyber Threats
Active cyber operations, infrastructure targeting, and digital security advisories.
Preparedness
Emergency supply status, readiness checklists, and preparedness guidance by threat level.
All Alerts
Complete intelligence alert feed across all commands and priority levels.