Open letter | October 19, 2026
Fellow Americans,
Project DYNAMO is issuing a renewed warning to Americans at home and abroad to increase vigilance in the weeks ahead. With the November 3 midterm elections approaching, followed immediately by the holiday travel and gathering season, we assess that the coming weeks present a heightened risk of violence, intimidation, disruption, and exploitation by actors seeking to create fear or instability. Americans should review protective measures and contingency plans now, before a specific threat reaches a polling place, school, congregation, public gathering, or community.
This warning reflects the cumulative threat environment and recent patterns of violence. It draws on decades of service in military and special operations, intelligence, diplomacy, law enforcement, and national security under administrations of both political parties, as well as Project DYNAMO’s continuing rescue and evacuation operations for Americans caught in conflict and rapidly deteriorating security conditions.
The midterm election period itself warrants particular attention. Polling places, campaign events, demonstrations, and election-related gatherings are predictable, highly visible, and symbolically significant. We assess that violent extremists, foreign adversaries, criminal proxies, or other hostile actors may seek to intimidate voters, obstruct access to polling places, provoke disorder, or otherwise undermine public confidence and participation. An actor does not need to alter a vote count to affect an election; creating fear, suppressing participation, or disrupting normal civic activity can itself achieve a strategic effect. Americans should not allow threats or intimidation to deter them from exercising their right to vote. We encourage every eligible citizen to vote, remain alert, follow the guidance of election officials and law enforcement, and report suspicious or threatening activity.
Election-related disruption is only one element of the current threat environment. The continuing confrontation with Iran creates a separate potential for retaliation against American citizens, institutions, and interests. We assess that renewed strikes, including after the November 3 elections, could prompt further calls for attacks against Americans. Hostile states have also demonstrated a willingness to use criminal intermediaries for surveillance, arson, sabotage, and violence. Security planning must therefore account for extremist incitement, foreign-directed activity, and criminal recruitment.
The September 30 attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 is a stark warning. The co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe and attempted to crash the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight into Ben Gurion Airport before passengers and crew intervened. UAE prosecutors say the plot was inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks. The incident underscores that aviation and transportation systems remain attractive targets for actors seeking mass casualties and psychological impact.
Religious and educational institutions also remain exposed. On March 12, an attacker the FBI assessed as inspired by Hezbollah drove a fireworks-laden truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan; that same day, a gunman previously convicted of attempting to support ISIS opened fire on an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University, killing one person. On May 18, two gunmen killed three men at the Islamic Center of San Diego in an attack police investigated as a hate crime. The responsibility to protect congregations and schools extends across faiths and communities.
Americans overseas face additional risks from attacks on diplomatic facilities, civil disorder, and sudden loss of mobility. An explosive device damaged the U.S. Embassy in Oslo on March 8, while unrest in France and Italy on October 17 included attacks on police, looting, fires, and disruption near major tourist and transportation areas. Election events, religious observances, holiday markets, airports, and other crowded spaces can become attractive targets or rapidly become inaccessible during unrest. Travelers must consider how they will move, communicate, and depart if conditions change.
Preparedness has already saved lives. At Temple Israel, congregation leaders credited security personnel and staff training with helping protect 140 children; in San Diego, police credited the security guard who was killed with saving lives. Plans must be usable by the people present when an attack begins.
We urge houses of worship, schools, community organizations, election-related venues, and Americans living or traveling overseas to take the following measures now:
- Coordinate with law enforcement. Review local threats and vulnerabilities, establish emergency contacts, and report suspicious activity. Use 911 in the United States, the local emergency number abroad, or tips.fbi.gov / 1-800-CALL-FBI as appropriate.
- Review and rehearse emergency procedures. Practice evacuation, lockdown, communications, and Run, Hide, Fight procedures with qualified instructors, and ensure staff know their responsibilities.
- Examine physical security. Assess access controls and vulnerabilities with qualified professionals. Consider a CISA security assessment and FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
- Maintain situational awareness. Identify exits and safe routes at polling places, public events, and in transit. Act promptly if conditions deteriorate and follow emergency instructions.
- Reassess travel and departure plans. Review State Department advisories, enroll in STEP, monitor embassy alerts and local conditions, and know how you will leave if circumstances change.
Project DYNAMO’s commitment is humanitarian and nonpartisan. Every American life matters. The purpose of this warning is not to discourage Americans from voting, traveling, gathering, worshiping, or participating in public life. It is to ensure they do so with greater awareness and plans in place before an emergency develops.
No threat, intimidation, or disorder should dissuade an eligible American from voting. The coming weeks warrant heightened vigilance at home and abroad. Project DYNAMO stands ready to respond and assist Americans and allies stranded abroad, drawing on our operational experience and global network to help them reach safety.
For assistance, submit an evacuation request.
The Project DYNAMO Leadership Team
Warning to Americans at Home and Abroad
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Open letter | October 19, 2026
Fellow Americans,
Project DYNAMO is issuing a renewed warning to Americans at home and abroad to increase vigilance in the weeks ahead. With the November 3 midterm elections approaching, followed immediately by the holiday travel and gathering season, we assess that the coming weeks present a heightened risk of violence, intimidation, disruption, and exploitation by actors seeking to create fear or instability. Americans should review protective measures and contingency plans now, before a specific threat reaches a polling place, school, congregation, public gathering, or community.
This warning reflects the cumulative threat environment and recent patterns of violence. It draws on decades of service in military and special operations, intelligence, diplomacy, law enforcement, and national security under administrations of both political parties, as well as Project DYNAMO’s continuing rescue and evacuation operations for Americans caught in conflict and rapidly deteriorating security conditions.
The midterm election period itself warrants particular attention. Polling places, campaign events, demonstrations, and election-related gatherings are predictable, highly visible, and symbolically significant. We assess that violent extremists, foreign adversaries, criminal proxies, or other hostile actors may seek to intimidate voters, obstruct access to polling places, provoke disorder, or otherwise undermine public confidence and participation. An actor does not need to alter a vote count to affect an election; creating fear, suppressing participation, or disrupting normal civic activity can itself achieve a strategic effect. Americans should not allow threats or intimidation to deter them from exercising their right to vote. We encourage every eligible citizen to vote, remain alert, follow the guidance of election officials and law enforcement, and report suspicious or threatening activity.
Election-related disruption is only one element of the current threat environment. The continuing confrontation with Iran creates a separate potential for retaliation against American citizens, institutions, and interests. We assess that renewed strikes, including after the November 3 elections, could prompt further calls for attacks against Americans. Hostile states have also demonstrated a willingness to use criminal intermediaries for surveillance, arson, sabotage, and violence. Security planning must therefore account for extremist incitement, foreign-directed activity, and criminal recruitment.
The September 30 attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 is a stark warning. The co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe and attempted to crash the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight into Ben Gurion Airport before passengers and crew intervened. UAE prosecutors say the plot was inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks. The incident underscores that aviation and transportation systems remain attractive targets for actors seeking mass casualties and psychological impact.
Religious and educational institutions also remain exposed. On March 12, an attacker the FBI assessed as inspired by Hezbollah drove a fireworks-laden truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan; that same day, a gunman previously convicted of attempting to support ISIS opened fire on an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University, killing one person. On May 18, two gunmen killed three men at the Islamic Center of San Diego in an attack police investigated as a hate crime. The responsibility to protect congregations and schools extends across faiths and communities.
Americans overseas face additional risks from attacks on diplomatic facilities, civil disorder, and sudden loss of mobility. An explosive device damaged the U.S. Embassy in Oslo on March 8, while unrest in France and Italy on October 17 included attacks on police, looting, fires, and disruption near major tourist and transportation areas. Election events, religious observances, holiday markets, airports, and other crowded spaces can become attractive targets or rapidly become inaccessible during unrest. Travelers must consider how they will move, communicate, and depart if conditions change.
Preparedness has already saved lives. At Temple Israel, congregation leaders credited security personnel and staff training with helping protect 140 children; in San Diego, police credited the security guard who was killed with saving lives. Plans must be usable by the people present when an attack begins.
We urge houses of worship, schools, community organizations, election-related venues, and Americans living or traveling overseas to take the following measures now:
Project DYNAMO’s commitment is humanitarian and nonpartisan. Every American life matters. The purpose of this warning is not to discourage Americans from voting, traveling, gathering, worshiping, or participating in public life. It is to ensure they do so with greater awareness and plans in place before an emergency develops.
No threat, intimidation, or disorder should dissuade an eligible American from voting. The coming weeks warrant heightened vigilance at home and abroad. Project DYNAMO stands ready to respond and assist Americans and allies stranded abroad, drawing on our operational experience and global network to help them reach safety.
For assistance, submit an evacuation request.
The Project DYNAMO Leadership Team