CNN –
The US State Department on Thursday advised all US citizens worldwide to “exercise increased caution” as “tensions are rising in various locations around the world, terrorist attacks, (and) demonstrations or violent actions against US citizens and – Interests could come.”
The issuance of the global alert is an important message amid protests that have erupted across the Middle East in response to the war between Israel and Hamas, with many protesters targeting U.S. diplomatic facilities.
State Department spokesman Matt Miller said Thursday that “we consider a number of factors when deciding to issue a global warning.”
“It’s not necessarily about a single thing, but about everything that we’re seeing around the world,” he said at a State Department briefing.
Last week, the State Department raised the travel advisory for Lebanon and Israel to the highest level, allowing non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave. As CNN reported on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a cable to diplomatic missions around the world ordering them to conduct urgent security reviews.
The State Department last issued a global alert in August 2022 following the assassination of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, warning that “followers of al-Qaeda or affiliated terrorist organizations may attempt to attack U.S. facilities.” Staff or citizens.”
The notice issued Thursday advises U.S. citizens abroad to “remain vigilant in places frequented by tourists” and to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you abroad in an emergency. ”
Todd Brown, a retired senior State Department official who worked in diplomatic security for more than 30 years, said the potential threat environment surrounding the Israel-Hamas war “exceeds anything I’ve ever seen in the lease and that.” There is potential to get worse.”
“The emotions and the temperature are as high as I can ever imagine,” he told CNN on Thursday.
Brown said the threat of escalation was “not just limited to the Middle East” but could also spread to Europe as anger grows over the Israeli government’s actions toward Gaza.
“I think people should think about their travels and not blindly think, ‘Oh, everything is fine’ or ‘I’m going to a European capital,'” he told CNN, noting that he even his I advised my own daughter to postpone a trip for the time being.
He said U.S. embassies would assess their security situation and consider whether they needed to bring in additional security personnel such as Marines from the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST). You can also ask the host government to provide additional security.
The State Department will also consider whether to allow or order staff and family members to leave embassies, noting that this is particularly likely in countries such as Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. Brown said the State Department considers things like whether the diplomatic placement is spread out and whether it’s a diplomatic post that allows children when deciding whether to allow or mandate staff housing.
Brown said the optics of staff reductions “play a role to some degree, but I don’t think it’s going to be the deciding factor if there are really people in danger in the community, and it’s a way to ensure safety.” of people.” .”
The State Department will also consider whether to restrict the movement of diplomats within the country for security reasons. These restrictions already apply to some diplomatic missions.
“I think that’s really, really concerning, and there’s no doubt that everyone here is keeping a close eye on the ball,” Brown said.