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 Raised

Current 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

Functional 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.

30 Active Alerts

14 commands currently at elevated readiness.

BREAKING Breaking Alerts

BREAKING High DEFCON 3
European Command

NATO Supreme Commander Coordinates with Romania After Russian Drone Strikes Apartment Building in Galaศ›i

ROMANIA - NATOโ€™s Supreme Allied Commander Europe spoke by phone today with General Gheorghiศ›ฤƒ VLAD, the Romanian Chief of Defense, after a Russian drone crossed into Romanian airspace overnight and struck an apartment building in the southern area of Galaศ›i....

BREAKING High DEFCON 3
European Command

Russian Drone Crashes into Residential Building in NATO Member Romania, Fire Reported as F-16s Scrambled

ROMANIA - A Russian drone entered Romanian airspace during overnight attacks on Ukraine and crashed into a residential block of flats in the southern area of Galaศ›i on the night of May 28-29, causing a fire....

BREAKING High DEFCON 2
Central Command

Kuwait Air Defenses Intercept Iranian Missiles and Drones Northwest of Kuwait City

KUWAIT - Kuwaiti air defense systems engaged incoming Iranian missiles and drones on May 28. The Kuwait Army General Staff stated that any explosions heard resulted from successful interceptions and urged the public to follow safety instructions from relevant authorities....

BREAKING High DEFCON 3
Northern Command

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....

BREAKING High DEFCON 3
European Command

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....

BREAKING High DEFCON 3
Bio Command

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...

BREAKING High DEFCON 2
Central Command

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 ล iauliai under the Baltic Air Policing mission....

BREAKING High DEFCON 2
Central Command

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....

BREAKING High DEFCON 2
Central Command

US Issues Security Alert For Iraq on Reopened Iraqi Airspace and Continued Threats From Missiles, Drones, Rockets and Militia

IRAQ - The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert May 5 after Iraq reopened its airspace with limited commercial flights operating. Travelers considering air travel within the country face ongoing potential risks from missiles, drones, and rockets in Iraqi airspace....

BREAKING High DEFCON 2
Central Command

IRGC Gunboat Attacks and Seizes Two Commercial Vessels in Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Directs Citizens to Depart Iran as Airspace Partially Reopens

PERSIAN GULF - The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received reports of incidents involving commercial vessels fired upon by vessels identified as IRGC gunboats on April 22....

BREAKING High DEFCON 2
Central Command

IDF Hits 200+ Hezbollah Targets as Israel Says Lebanon Excluded From U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

IDF hits more than 200 Hezbollah targets in 24 hours and reports killing 180+ operatives in largest coordinated operation since Operation Beeper. Lebanese health ministry reports 357 dead. Israel and the U.S. say Lebanon is not covered by the April 8 ceasefire....

BREAKING High DEFCON 2
Central Command

Trump Orders U.S. Navy Blockade of Strait of Hormuz After Islamabad Nuclear Talks Fail

Trump orders immediate U.S. Navy blockade of Strait of Hormuz after 21-hour Islamabad talks fail on nuclear issue. Navy directed to interdict toll-paying vessels, destroy Iranian mines. First direct U.S.-Iran engagement since 1979 ended without agreement....

BREAKING High DEFCON 2
Central Command

ISIS Calls for Arson Attacks on Synagogues During Easter and Passover Weekend

GLOBAL - The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) published an operational call in Al-Naba Issue 541 on April 3 ordering followers to set fire to......

BREAKING High DEFCON 2
Central Command

US Surges Carrier Strike Group and Marine Amphibious Force into Middle East During Iran Campaign

CENTCOM confirmed the arrival of USS Tripoli and approximately 3,500 sailors and Marines while three destroyers from the Bush carrier strike group departed the East Coast, moving toward a three-carrier posture in the theater....

BREAKING High DEFCON 3
U.S. Pacific Command

Oahu Evacuation Ordered as 120-Year-Old Wahiawa Dam Faces Imminent Failure

Dam failure in progress or expected at Wahiawa Dam after 13 inches of rain in 12 hours. Over 4,000 residents ordered to evacuate downstream areas of Haleiwa and Waialua. National Guard activated....

BREAKING High DEFCON 2
Central Command

Projectile Destroys Structure 350 Meters from Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Reactor; Russia Begins Third Staff Evacuation

MIDDLE EAST - The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on March 18 that a projectile struck and destroyed a structure 350 meters from the reactor at Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Tuesday evening. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reported no damage to the reactor itself, no injuries to staff, and no elevation of radiation levels, but warned that โ€œany attack at or near nuclear power plants violates the seven indispensable pillars related to ensuring nuclear safety and......

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 3
Northern Command

U.S. Agencies Issue Advisory on Active Threat Targeting Siemens S7 Series PLCs

WASHINGTON - The National Security Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency released joint Cybersecurity Advisory AA26-231A on August 19, warning of an active cyber threat to Siemens S7 Series p...

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 3
Africa Command

Cargo Vessel Boarded and Controlled 4 NM South of Mareeyo, Somalia

MAREEYO, SOMALIA - UK Maritime Trade Operations received a report at 11:36 AM UTC on August 17 from the company security officer of a cargo vessel stating that eight armed unauthorized persons boarded the ship and took control of it 4 nautical miles south of Mareeyo, Somalia....

BREAKING Elevated

Global

Spanish F-18 Downs Drone in Romanian Airspace Under NATO Enhanced Air Defense

GALAศšI COUNTY, ROMANIA - Two Spanish F-18 fighter aircraft assigned to NATOโ€™s enhanced Air Defense mission at Mihail Kogฤƒlniceanu Air Base intercepted and destroyed a drone that entered Romanian national airspace from the direction of Moldova in the early hours of August 16....

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 3
Northern Command

Coast Guard Raises Port Conditions Across Hawaii for Tropical Storm Lala

HONOLULU - The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Honolulu scheduled progressive increases in port heavy weather conditions for commercial ports across Hawaii, Maui, Honolulu, and Kauai counties effective 8:00 a.m. HST on Aug....

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 3
European Command

NATO Baltic Air Policing Jet Shoots Down Foreign Drone Over Eastern Latvia

LATVIA - On the morning of August 14, a NATO fighter jet operating under the Baltic Air Policing mission from a base in Lithuania intercepted and destroyed a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle that entered Latvian airspace over Balvi Municipality....

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 3
European Command

Federal Prosecutor Labels Leipzig Explosive Drone a Serious Attack as USEUCOM Advances SAG-U Reorganization

GERMANY - On August 6 the Office of the Federal Prosecutor assumed lead of the investigation into the explosive-laden drone recovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport on the night of August 4-5, classifying the incident as a serious attack on Germanyโ€™s transport and logistics infrastructure....

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 3
Africa Command

AFRICOM Conducts Airstrike Targeting al-Shabaab Near Jamaame

SOMALIA - U.S. Africa Command announced on August 3 that it conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab on July 30 in the vicinity of Jamaame, approximately 36 miles (58 km) northeast of Kismayo, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia....

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 2
Central Command

Iranian Foreign Ministry Reports Final-Stage Negotiations with Oman on Strait of Hormuz as JMIC Confirms Projectile Incidents

STRAIT OF HORMUZ - The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz are in their final stages. The Joint Maritime Information Center Update 079, covering March 1 to August 2, listed two confirmed maritime security incidents in the Strait of Hormuz on Aug...

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 3
European Command

U.S. Raises Ceuta to Level 3 as Migrant Arrivals Trigger Spanish Military Deployment

CEUTA, SPAIN - The U.S. Department of State on August 1 updated its Travel Advisory for Spain, raising Ceuta to Level 3 - Reconsider Travel due to unrest....

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 3
Northern Command

U.S. Embassy Alerts on Michoacan Security Forces Elevated Over Roadblock Reports

MEXICO - On July 31, the U.S. Mission to Mexico stated that local security forces in the state of Michoacan have been put on alert due to reports of roadblocks and criminal activity in the state which have the potential to escalate....

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 3
European Command

Armed Russian Cruise Missile Crashes in Eastern Poland, NATO Activates Defenses

POLAND - An armed Russian Kh-101 cruise missile violated Polish airspace and crashed in a field near Tarnawa-Kolonia, approximately 31 miles (50 km) from Lublin, during a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight into July 30....

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 3
European Command

Romania Scrambles F-16s After Aerial Targets Detected Near Snake Island

BLACK SEA - On July 29 around 10:30 AM, the Romanian Ministry of Defense radar surveillance system detected a group of aerial targets flying 20 km northwest of Snake Island....

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 2
Central Command

Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Drones from Iraq Targeting Petroleum Facilities

MIDDLE EAST - On July 27, the Saudi Ministry of Defense stated that air defenses intercepted and destroyed a number of drones during the past hours that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Region and Riyadh....

BREAKING Elevated DEFCON 2
Central Command

Jordan and Israel Intercept Separate Pairs of Drones Near Shared Border

JORDAN - The General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces-Arab Army stated that Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft intercepted and downed two drones that breached Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory on the morning of July 27....

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

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Related Pages

Monitor readiness conditions, financial market impact, cybersecurity threat activity, and emergency preparedness status across all commands and threat categories.