As the Independence Day on the 4th approaches in the United States, marking the onset of the summer vacation season, the U.S. State Department has turned on the caution light.
On the 1st (local time), the U.S. State Department announced a 'Worldwide Caution' for Americans residing worldwide.
In the caution statement, the State Department emphasized, "Terrorist organizations are planning attacks targeting Americans at airports, tourist sites, shopping malls, and more," and advised that "one should remain particularly vigilant in areas with a high potential for risk."
Currently, the U.S. State Department manages country risk levels as follows: ▲ Level 1 (normal precaution) ▲ Level 2 (increased caution) ▲ Level 3 (reconsider travel) ▲ Level 4 (do not travel).
Countries classified as 'Level 4 do not travel' include Somalia, which has ongoing civil war and crime, as well as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, which are in extreme opposition to the U.S., and Iraq, Syria, Yemen, among 19 other countries, along with the Gaza Strip.
This week’s caution is different from the existing Level 4 travel advisory system managed by the State Department. It is a comprehensive warning that highlights the risk to Americans anywhere in the world without assessing specific country risk levels.
Travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler commented, "The global caution signals that one should not let their guard down, even outside the countries with Level 4 travel restrictions."
Experts noted that this warning came amid the protracted Israel-Hamas war and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The United States has positioned itself as a key supporter of Israel and Ukraine in both international conflicts, which has made it a trigger for anti-American sentiments for the opposing countries.
The Guardian of the UK cited the think tank Chatham House, pointing out the current global spread of geopolitical anxiety.
The Guardian assessed, "As long as the conflicts in the Middle East remain unresolved, anti-American sentiment can erupt violently at any moment," adding that "the warnings from the U.S. government are not exaggerations but reflect the geopolitical reality."
Despite repeated warnings from the government, many American travelers are showing a nonchalant response. The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that about 72 million Americans will travel during this holiday period, the largest number on record.
The BBC reported, "Many Americans are ignoring or not taking the State Department's warning seriously."
Experts explained this phenomenon with the term 'warning fatigue.' It suggests that when warnings are overly broad and repeated like disaster alerts, citizens’ vigilance actually dulls.
Travel insurance company InsureMyTrip stated, "Government warnings should not be taken to mean fear, but rather as practical advice to stay alert and create emergency plans."
The U.S. State Department also recommended that Americans in countries other than those on the Level 4 do not travel list quickly receive safety-related information from local embassies if needed.
Embassy contacts go beyond merely alerting about danger; they serve as a basis for the country to locate its citizens and contact families to provide practical aid.
However, regarding countries with a Level 4 do not travel status, the government warned that "(the very visit) poses a threat to lives," and that "the U.S. government has very limited or no ability to assist even in emergencies, so do not travel there or leave immediately if you believe it is unsafe."