War/Regional conflicts

Turkey: Embassy Attack Prompts Updated Travel Warning

Date: February 27th, 2013 |

In light of the recent attack on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara and instability at the Turkish-Syrian border, the U.S. State Dept. has issued an updated travel warning. The Consulate strongly recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all border areas with Syria, and exercise extreme caution when traveling anywhere in southeastern Turkey. Travelers should stay abreast [read more]

Israel: Tourists Concerned, But Not Cancelling Over Gaza Crisis

Date: November 21st, 2012 |

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Concerned by the recent Gaza missile crisis, some tourists may be thinking twice about visiting Israel right now, but tour operators on the ground report business as usual and few, if any, cancellations due to security issues—though new bookings have reportedly slowed down. The Israel Minister of Tourism has maintained that conditions are “normal” and [read more]

Philippines: Flights to be Rerouted due to Missile Threat

Date: April 11th, 2012 |

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The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced that several airlines will reroute flights over the country to avoid a rocket North Korea is expected to launch within the next two weeks. During the launch times, three air corridors in the northeast will be closed, adding an estimated 20 minutes of travel time for flights [read more]

Egypt: 31-year-old Emergency Laws Lifted in some Cases

Date: January 25th, 2012 |

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In a manner of speaking, military rulers have lifted the 31-year-old emergency laws that gave police far-reaching powers. The emergency powers can still be used to combat crimes committed by “thugs,” a term that the military failed to define. Rights groups and pro-democracy activists in the country have already voiced disdain for the declaration’s ambiguity. [read more]

Mexico: U.S. Citizens Killed in Veracruz

Date: December 28th, 2011 |

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On Dec. 22, three U.S. citizens were killed on a bus while traveling for the holidays. According to a U.S. State Department official, gunmen attacked several buses traveling through the eastern state of Veracruz. The state was once a major oil export hub, but has since turned into a microcosm of Mexico’s larger drug-related woes. [read more]

Philippines: Updated Travel Warning from U.S. Dept. of State

Date: February 13th, 2013 |

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The U.S. Dept. of State has issued an updated travel warning for the island nation to reflect ongoing security issues, particularly in the Sulu Archipelago and the southern island of Mindanao. U.S. citizens should continue to avoid non-essential travel to the Sulu region due to the high threat of kidnapping of international travelers, and violence [read more]

Africa: Elephants Threatened to Extinction by Guerrilla Poachers

Date: September 4th, 2012 |

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Those who dream of taking a safari might be wise to book it sooner rather than later. The skyrocketing price of ivory, now worth as much as $1,000 per pound on the black market, has turned guerrilla armies into ruthless poachers, placing Africa’s remaining elephants in peril. The militants’ sophisticated weaponry, along with continued high [read more]

Somalia: International Flight to Mogadishu first in 20 Years

Date: March 7th, 2012 |

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Turkish Airlines has begun operating flights to Mogadishu airport, the first commercial airline to visit the war-torn country in 20 years. Flights are scheduled for twice a week and are designed to make travel easier for businesspeople and members of the Somali diaspora. Residents of Mogadishu view this as a positive step for the country [read more]

Mexico: Violence Spreading

Date: January 25th, 2012 |

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Drug violence that has largely been contained to the border regions is beginning to spread to places once thought safe from the infamous carnage. Two weeks ago, a pair of headless bodies were found in a burning minivan in front of one of Mexico City’s largest and most expensive shopping malls. Guadalajara and Veracruz—thought safe [read more]

Nigeria: Christmas Bombing Sparks Fear of Religious War

Date: December 28th, 2011 |

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The Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram, which is suspected of having ties to al-Qaeda, has claimed a series of Christmas day bombings that left more than 30 people dead as Christian leaders warn of escalating violence and the possibility of religious war. Nigeria is divided roughly along religious lines, with the north being predominantly Muslim [read more]

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