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.
High High Priority
ISIS Kills 10 Syrian Security Members in Idlib's Dlib Area, Fourth Attack in 36 Hours
Syrian security forces affiliated with the HTS administration in Idlib reported the killing of ten members during a patrol in Dlib on December 14....
U.S. Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers and Counter-Narcotics Designation, Lukashenko Indicates Maduro Would Be Welcome In Belarus
President Donald J. Trump announced a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers on December 16. An executive order issued December 15 classified illicit fentanyl and precursor chemicals as WMDs....
U.S. Interdiction of Panama-Flagged Oil Tanker Centuries
The vessel had recently loaded crude oil in Venezuela and was en route to Asian markets. This operation marks the second such interdiction in December....
U.S. Central Command Operation Hawkeye Strike Against ISIS in Syria
The operation struck more than 70 targets across multiple locations using fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery....
U.S. Southern Command Reports Lethal Kinetic Strike on Low-Profile Vessel Involved in Narcotics Trafficking
SOUTHCOM indicated that intelligence assessments determined the vessel was operated by designated terrorist organizations and was actively engaged in narcotics trafficking....
Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict: Bilateral Defense Officials Scheduled to Meet Amid Renewed Hostilities
The ASEAN gathering urged both parties to exercise maximum restraint and cease hostilities immediately while welcoming the planned bilateral dialogue as a step toward de-escalation....
Airstrike Against ISIS in Sokoto State, Nigeria Amid Documented Violence Targeting Christians
Throughout 2025, Nigeria experienced multiple incidents of violence targeting Christian communities, with thousands reported killed in various attacks across its regions....
North Korea Advances Anti-Air Missile and Nuclear-Powered Submarine Capabilities Amid Regional Tensions
Kim Jong Un inspected the ongoing construction of an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine at a warship-building facility....
Thailand and Cambodia Sign Ceasefire Agreement Amid Ongoing Border Tensions With ASEAN Oversight
The agreement, reached during the third Special General Border Committee meeting at the Prum-Ban Pak Kard border checkpoint, aims to halt all forms of aggression....
China Launches 'Justice Mission 2025' Military Drills Encircling Taiwan Amid Escalating Tensions
The drills follow the U.S. approval of an $11.1 billion arms package to Taiwan on December 18, which Beijing protested as external interference....
US President Trump Announces Military Strike on Venezuelan Drug Loading Facility Amid Escalating Counter-Narcotics Operations
According to President Trump, the operation targeted a dock area utilized for equipping vessels with narcotics, leading to a substantial explosion at the site....
Taiwan Detects Record 130 Chinese Military Aircraft in Second-Largest Incursion During "Justice Mission 2025" Drills
The all-time high remains 153 detected on October 14, 2024, during previous drills. This surge occurred amid China's "Justice Mission 2025" exercises, which entered its second day....
Alert Additional Raised Alerts
NORAD Increases Arctic Posture as Russian Tu-142s Probe Alaskan and Canadian Air Defense Zones
Twelve U.S. and Canadian aircraft scrambled to monitor and escort the Russian planes, which remained in international airspace throughout....
Somali Offensive Secures Key Areas as U.S. Strikes Target ISIS; Somalia Condemns Iran For Attacks On Arab Countries
The Somali Ministry of Defense launched Operation Rolling Thunder on March 1 in Lower Shabelle to target Al-Shabaab strongholds and cut terrorist routes....
Statement From D.C. Metropolitan Police Department
Statement from the Metropolitan Police Department....
Somali National Intelligence Agency Reports Elimination of Over 23 Al-Shabaab Militants in Preemptive Operations in Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle
The agency stated the operations were carried out with the help of international partners, and followed intelligence on militant mobilization in multiple locations across Maxaas and Moqokori districts...
U.S. Forces Board Sanctioned Tanker Bertha in Indian Ocean and Capture Three Fleeing Boats Following Trans-Ocean Pursuit
The Bertha (IMO 9292163) is a large crude oil tanker managed by Shanghai Legendary Ship Management Company Limited. ...
Guanajuato State Declares All Incidents Contained After Spillover Violence Linked to Jalisco Operations - 23 Municipalities Affected
Authorities emphasized that all state and federal highways remain open and free of blockades, with no risk to travelers. ...
U.S. Secret Service Agents and Deputy Fatally Shoot Armed Intruder at Mar-a-Lago Perimeter
The man was observed near the north gate. Law enforcement confronted him during the encounter. He was pronounced deceased at the scene....
NORAD Detects and Tracks Five Russian Military Aircraft Operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone
NORAD launched two F-16 fighters, two F-35 fighters, one E-3 airborne warning and control aircraft, and four KC-135 tankers to intercept the group...
Suspect Steals Ambulance and Rams Building Housing DHS Offices in Meridian, Idaho
Canyon County Paramedics confirmed no personnel were inside the ambulance and that the vehicle was unlawfully taken from their bay....
U.S. Continues Sustained Airstrike Campaign Against ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabaab in Somalia
U.S. Africa Command carried out at least ten airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabaab militants in Somalia in February, including targeting positions in the Golis Mountains....
U.S. Conducts Three Lethal Kinetic Strikes on Narco-Trafficking Vessels in Eastern Pacific and Caribbean
SOUTHCOM Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting known trafficking routes and actively engaged in narco-trafficking operations...
U.S. Forces Conduct Maritime Interdiction of Sanctioned Tanker Veronica III in Indian Ocean
The Panamanian-flagged tanker, IMO 9326055, transported cargo in violation of sanctions related to oil trade with Iran and Venezuela....
SOUTHCOM: Lethal Kinetic Strike on Narco-Trafficking Vessel in Caribbean, Killing Three
The engagement led to the deaths of three individuals identified in official accounts....
Poland's Energy Sector Faced Coordinated Cyberattacks Targeting Renewable Facilities and Deploying Wiper Malware
The attacks targeted operational technology and industrial control systems at over 30 wind and solar farms, a combined heat and power plant serving nearly half a million customers...
US-Colombia Joint Operation Intercepts Narco-Submarine with 10 Tons of Cocaine in Pacific Waters
The operation targeted a semi-submersible vessel carrying 10 tons of cocaine valued at $441 million. Authorities destroyed the narcotics and arrested four crew members involved in the trafficking....
U.S. and Indian Maritime Operations Target Oil Smuggling Amid Regional Security Threats in Indo-Pacific and Central Command Areas
Department of War: "The Aquila II was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. It ran, and we followed". The Indian operation involved Al Jafzia (IMO 9171498, Nicaraguan flag), Asphalt Star (IMO 9463528, Malian flag), and Stellar Ruby (IMO 9555199, Iranian flag)....
Polish Armed Forces Continue Detect Balloon-Like Objects from Belarus Entering Airspace on February 8-9, Amid Escalating Hybrid Incursions
The frequency of such entries raises concerns about potential escalation, though no direct military confrontations have occurred....
Polish Armed Forces Report Fourth Consecutive Night of Balloon-Like Airspace Incursions from Belarus on February 3-4
Border Guard units have recovered multiple balloons, confirming their use for smuggling, with seven located after an earlier violation on December 24....
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.