AMERICAS

Argentina (Security threat level – 3): On 27 November 2018, the Argentine Confederation of Transport Workers (CATT) staged a three-hour strike to protest against income tax for workers and to demand better benefits for retirees. The strike lasted from 0400-0700 local time (0700-1000 UTC). The strike disrupted train, bus, subway and airport services across the country. Services were not expected to normalize until approximately 1000 local time.

ASIA

India (Security threat level – 3): Between 29 and 30 November 2018, at least 100,000 farmers and agricultural workers are expected to begin a march to New Delhi to demand legislation to better protect farmers. The demonstrators are expected to gather at the Ram Leela Ground before marching toward Parliament. Traffic disruptions are likely, and violence is also a possibility.

AUSTRALIA

Australia (Security threat level – 2): Australian authorities reported on 27 November 2018 that a large wildfire is forcing evacuations of rural communities in Queensland state, located on the northeast side of the continent. Affected locations have included Baffle Creek, Deepwater, Oyster Creek and Rules Beach, which are located approximately 350 km (220 mi) north-northwest of Brisbane. Thus far, the fire has destroyed four homes and burned 20,000 hectares (49,000 acres) of land since 24 November. High winds and record-high temperatures are expected to worsen conditions for firefighters on 27 November. Meanwhile, approximately 40 other smaller fires are burning elsewhere in the state. The conditions are highly unusual for Queensland at this time of year, as it is usually the wet season.

EUROPE

Greece (Security threat level – 3): The General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) umbrella union is planning to stage a 24-hour general nationwide strike on 28 November 2018. The labor action is expected to significantly disrupt transportation services, including in the capital Athens, while passenger ferries will remain docked nationwide. Meanwhile, journalists and media personnel staged a walkout on 27 November; the action was in support of the 28 November strike, and was staged one day in advance so that the media could report on developments the next day. The GSEE has called for the work stoppage to protest elements of austerity packages, including to demand higher pensions and the restoration of the pre-bailout minimum wage.

Ukraine (Security threat level – 4): On 26 November 2018, the Ukrainian parliament approved the implementation of martial law in 10 regions of Ukraine: the Chernyhiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odessa and Vinnytsia oblasts. Martial law will last for a period of 30 days starting on 28 November. While the specific regulations or conditions that will be in place in these regions it is not yet clear, the provisions outlined in the approved decree mention partial military and air defense mobilization, the strengthening of information controls, the strengthening of counterterrorism measures and increased security around critical infrastructure.

AFRICA

Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 5): Reports emerging out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 27 November 2018 indicate that security personnel have fired tear gas at supporters of opposition leaders Vital Kamerhe and Félix Tshisekedi to clear a path for their motorcades to exit N’Djili International Airport (FZAA/FIH). Several hundred people gathered outside the airport in the morning hours in anticipation of the opposition leaders’ arrival in Kinshasa, and local media reports suggest that thousands are accompanying their motorcades. Kamerhe and Tshisekedi have returned to the Congolese capital in the middle of the presidential election campaign.

Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 5): On 26 November 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

• Location: Kinshasa

• Event: The United States Embassy in Kinshasa has credible and specific information of a possible terrorist threat against U.S. Government facilities in Kinshasa. The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa will remain closed to the public on Tuesday November 27th. U.S. citizens in need of emergency services can call 081-556-0151.

Dominican Republic (Security threat level – 3): On 26 November 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo issued a Demonstration Alert that reads in part as follows: “Protests [are] expected on November 27 near the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) and possibly other locations in the capital. Protests regarding fuel prices and other grievances are expected to continue in Santo Domingo and elsewhere.”

Serbia (Security threat level – 3): On 27 November 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:

• Location: Belgrade, Serbia

• Event: Taxi drivers will protest against internet car-sharing services such as CarGo at 4:00pm on November 27. The protest will take place in front of the Serbian Government building on Nemanjina Street, and protesters plan to block traffic in downtown Belgrade until 6:00pm. We remind all U.S. citizens in Serbia that that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.”

Ukraine (Security threat level – 4): On 26 November 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Kiev issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

• Location: Ukraine, countrywide

• Event: A violent protest took place at the Russian Embassy in Kyiv (Povitroflots’kyi Ave. 27) last night following an incident in the Azov sea between Ukrainian and Russian naval forces. Protestors clashed with police and burned tires and a vehicle. Protests continued today at the embassy. In addition, protests were also reported at the Russian consulates in Kharkiv and Odesa.

• The U.S. Embassy expects that additional protests may occur throughout Ukraine; even peaceful demonstrations may become violent without warning and attract petty criminals and hooligans. Expect heavier than normal police presence in the vicinity of Russian diplomatic facilities and cultural offices. Also expect to encounter possible street closures, restrictions, and searches.”

Security threat levels range from 1 (Very Low) to 5 (Very High) and are determined using a comprehensive system that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary factors used to determine a location’s security threat level are Armed Conflict, Crime, Demonstrations/Strikes, Ethnic/Sectarian Tensions, Graft/Corruption, Kidnapping, Political Instability, Government Restriction and Terrorism.