What the Military DEFCON Levels Actually Mean
There’s a lot of noise online about “going to DEFCON 1.” Here’s a clear, sourced explainer—what each level is, who sets it,
The DEFCON Warning System™
The World’s Only Public Nuclear Threat Advisory System. Independent, real-time analysis of global nuclear tensions. Since 1984.
United States
Read more
Where the U.S. Might Strike: Potential Nuclear Targets in Russia
Last week, we examined potential nuclear targets in the United States in the event of a full-scale war with Russia. This week,
Worried but Unready: How Prepared Are Americans for Disaster?
The United States experienced 27 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2024, with an estimated $182.7B in damages—second-highest number on record.
The Hidden Bombs: What You Don’t See in Official Nuclear Counts
Nuclear weapons are often discussed in terms of official treaties and declared stockpiles. But lurking behind those official numbers are additional warheads
Who Can Launch in 15 Minutes? A Look at Nuclear Readiness Around the World
In a nuclear confrontation, minutes—not hours—determine outcomes. The size of a nuclear arsenal is only one part of the equation. Equally critical—and
Armageddon’s New Arms Race: The 2025 Nuclear Buildup
It has been over three decades since the Cold War ended, yet global nuclear arsenals are once again on the rise. Nuclear-armed
Is America Ready to Survive Nuclear War?
Imagine the warning sirens blaring or an emergency alert flashing on your phone: a nuclear attack is imminent. You have mere minutes
From Decision to Detonation: The U.S. Nuclear Launch Process Explained
In a world where geopolitical tensions can escalate quickly and the stakes are nothing short of civilization itself, few procedures are more
The Silent Race: How China and the U.S. Are Redefining Nuclear Deterrence in the Pacific
In the vast expanse of the Pacific, a quiet but consequential nuclear competition is underway. China and the United States are modernizing
Is War with China Coming? Analyzing the Taiwan Flashpoint
Taiwan lies roughly 100 miles off the southeastern coast of mainland China across the Taiwan Strait, making it a longstanding geopolitical flashpoint.
2025 WorldwideThreat Assessment
Chairman Jackson, Ranking Member Crow, and Members of the Committee, Thank you for the invitation to provide the Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA’s)