April 10, 2026
Fellow Americans,
The undersigned include former U.S. military officers, intelligence professionals, diplomats, and national security officials who have collectively spent decades operating in complex environments around the world. Throughout our careers, we have been responsible for protecting American lives in unstable, chaotic, and dangerous regions.
We are writing today to encourage American citizens worldwide to exercise increased awareness and caution when traveling or living abroad.
Over the past several weeks, the U.S. Department of State has advised American citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution. This guidance reflects a reality well understood within the National Security Community: the global security environment is becoming more unpredictable, and in many places Americans are viewed not simply as travelers, but as symbols of the United States itself.
A year and a half ago, we issued a warning that threats against Americans were increasing both at home and abroad. Unfortunately, the trajectory we observed has escalated. Today, a growing number of state and non-state actors view U.S. citizens as valid targets, sources of leverage, instruments of coercion, or opportunities for propaganda and retaliation.
Our purpose in writing is not to create fear, but to provide clarity. Awareness remains the most effective layer of personal security.
Why Americans Face Elevated Risk
The United States remains one of the most influential nations in the world. Because of this, Americans abroad may be perceived by hostile actors as:
• Direct representatives of U.S. policy or power
• High-value targets for publicity or retaliation
• Leverage in political disputes or negotiations
• Soft targets in regions where anti-U.S. sentiment is present
These perceptions, even when inaccurate, shape how criminal networks, extremist organizations, and certain governments may behave.
Common Types of Risk
The vast majority of international travel occurs safely. However, Americans should understand the range of risks that exist in today’s security environment.
- Kidnapping and Hostage-Taking
- In some regions, criminal or terrorist groups target foreigners, including Americans, for ransom, political messaging, or prisoner exchanges.
- Wrongful or Arbitrary Detention
- Certain governments have detained Americans on vague or politically motivated charges, and, at times, use them as diplomatic leverage.
- Targeted Crime
- Americans may be singled out for robbery, surveillance, or fraud because they are perceived to have financial resources or political value.
- Terrorism and Ideologically Motivated Violence
- Extremist organizations frequently view attacks on Americans as a means to gain attention and demonstrate capability.
- Civil Unrest and Rapid Security Deterioration
- In unstable environments, protests or regional conflicts can escalate quickly, leaving U.S. nationals exposed and mobility restricted.
What This Means in Practical Terms
Most Americans will never encounter these situations. However, the current global environment requires a higher baseline of awareness than in years past.
- Understand where you are traveling.
- Stay informed about local conditions. Monitor current events through traditional and new media outlets.
- Be aware of the location of the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Review current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State.
- Register with the U.S. Department of State’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This provides vital safety alerts, emergency updates, and can help authorities reach you during crises.
- Recognize that security environments abroad can change quickly and with little warning.
- Preparedness does not mean fear. It means understanding reality and making informed decisions. Only with facts and good information can sound decisions be made.
A Shared Responsibility
Every American traveling, living, or working overseas becomes part of the broader national footprint. By remaining informed and acting with awareness, you reduce not only your own risk but also the burden placed on diplomatic and rescue resources that may be called upon in a crisis.
The world remains full of opportunity, partnership, and goodwill toward Americans. But it is also a world in which adversaries are increasingly willing to exploit vulnerabilities.
American citizenship carries extraordinary privilege around the world. In some places, it also carries risk. Awareness is how we manage that reality and mitigate those risks and threats.
Stay informed. Stay aware. Look out for one another.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors of Project DYNAMO
Mario Duarte, President & CEO, Project DYNAMO
Major General (Ret.) Edward M. Reeder Jr., U.S. Army Special Forces
COL (Ret.) Christopher B. Wells, U.S. Army Special Forces – President and CEO, The GBNT Group
COL (Ret.) Gus Miskovsky, U.S. Army
COL (Ret.) Mike Balser, U.S. Army
CAPT (Ret.) Kevin Baugh, U.S. Navy NSW
CDR (Ret.) Carl R. Cringle, U.S. Navy – Assistant Operations Officer, Project DYNAMO
CDR (Ret.) Scott R. Snow, U.S. Navy
LTC (Ret.) Scott Hensley, U.S. Army
LTC (Ret.) C. Patrick Howard, U.S. Army
LCDR (Ret.) Dan O’Shea, U.S. Navy, Former Coordinator Hostage Working Group Iraq
MAJ (Ret.) Mike Dinesman, U.S. Army Military Intelligence
CAPT (Ret.) Douglas Griffith, PA-C, U.S. Army
CMDR/Supervisor (Ret.) Marco Hernandez, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
CW4 (Ret.) Chris Wilkerson, U.S. Army Special Forces
CW4 (Ret.) Rusty A. Gaeta, U.S. Army Special Forces
CW3 (Ret.) Dave Holland, U.S. Army Special Forces – CEO, Longtab Brewing Company
CSM (Ret.) Frank Rossi, U.S. Army Special Forces
CSM (Ret.) Perry Davis, U.S. Army Special Forces
SGM (Ret.) Howard L. Massingill, Jr., U.S. Army Special Forces
SGM (Ret.) John Ortega, U.S. Army
Master Sergeant (Ret.) Dennis Hillyer, U.S. Army Special Forces
Master Sergeant (Ret.) Gary A. Mitchell, U.S. Army Special Forces
MSG (Ret.) Billy Jensen, U.S. Army Special Forces
CPO (Ret.) Eric Charsky, U.S. Navy
Humberto “Bert” Hernandez, Advisor (Ret. Senior Manager, CIA/FBI)
James P. Judge Jr., Former U.S. DoD Spokesman, U.S. Coast Guard & U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Laz Benitez – Chief Operating Officer at Atna Systems and Senior Consultant at InZicht Consulting
Gregory Carpenter, DrPH, Chief Security Officer, KnowledgeBridge International (KBI)
Samuel “Sam” Acosta, PMP, ESS, TSI – Global CEO & SME
Barry Hess, PhD, CTO / VP, KBI Intl
Chuck Freedman, CEO, Captive Audience
Rik Thrailkill, VP, Orange Diamond Consulting
PK Kelley, CEO, Orange Diamond Consulting
Ethan Garrity, CEO, Integrated Response Group
Margo LaPointe