Global Risk Map Ranks U.S. as 'Moderate Risk,' Identifies Border Regions as Extreme

A recently released Global Risk Map from American security firm Global Guardians has categorized the United States as a moderate-risk nation, while identifying specific regions, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border, as areas of extreme risk.

The map assesses country safety based on seven criteria: crime, armed conflict, terrorism, political unrest, healthcare systems, infrastructure, and natural disasters. Nations are then ranked from low to extreme risk levels.

While the U.S. as a whole falls into the moderate-risk category, the Mexican side of the border region is flagged as being at extreme risk. This assessment comes as the U.S. navigates complex immigration and security issues at its southern frontier.

Globally, the map identifies several countries as extremely dangerous, primarily located in the Middle East and North Africa, including Iran, Yemen, and Sudan. The entirety of Ukraine and adjacent Russian territories are also classified as extreme risk. Conversely, nations like Switzerland, Norway, and Denmark are among the safest, predominantly situated in Europe.

The United Kingdom is classified as a moderate-risk nation, while the Republic of Ireland is considered low-risk.

In Africa, much of north and central Africa, including Sudan, are deemed extreme-risk areas. Global Guardians cited issues in Nigeria such as "banditry, jihadism, organized crime, and intercommunal violence." The report also highlighted Ethiopia as an extreme-risk nation due to "perennial conflicts with both external neighbors as well as with powerful ethnonationalist regional governments that operate their own armed forces and government structures." This comes amid recent resurgences of violence in Ethiopia, including troop deployments in the Tigray region.

In South America, Venezuela is designated as an extreme-risk country. Parts of Colombia and Brazil bordering Venezuela are also flagged with extreme risk. The UK's foreign office has previously noted a high threat of terrorist attack globally, with specific warnings for Venezuela about armed robbery, mugging, carjacking, and burglary often accompanied by extreme violence.

Other regions of extreme risk include the northern Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, a crucial trade corridor and security buffer. This designation comes amid recent tensions between Israel and Egypt, following comments from Israeli officials regarding the peninsula.

The map's classification for the U.S. indicates a nuanced security landscape, with broad national stability offset by significant localized dangers, particularly in border areas. The firm's methodology aims to provide a comprehensive overview of global safety by evaluating a range of potential threats.