Brief
Global Guardians releases 2026 map ranking countries by extreme risk
The new map assesses crime, conflict, terrorism and other factors to rank nations from low to extreme risk.
By Felo News Desk · Published
American security firm Global Guardians has published its 2026 Global Risk Map, ranking nations according to seven risk criteria – crime, armed conflict, terrorism, political unrest, healthcare, infrastructure and natural disasters – and classifying them from low to extreme risk, dailymail.co.uk reported.
The map places a cluster of Middle‑East and North‑African states in the highest danger tier. Iran, Yemen and Sudan are listed as extreme‑risk, as is the whole of Ukraine and the Russian territory bordering it. The north of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula also receives an extreme‑risk label, a region the firm notes as a key trade corridor and security buffer.
In contrast, the lowest‑risk countries are concentrated in Europe, with Switzerland, Norway and Denmark highlighted as safe. The United Kingdom and the United States are both classified as moderate‑risk, while the Republic of Ireland is deemed low‑risk. The Mexican side of the US‑Mexico border is singled out as an extreme‑risk region.
Several Gulf allies appear in the medium‑risk category, including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Nigeria is described as suffering from “banditry, jihadism, organised crime, and intercommunal violence,” contributing to its high‑risk status.
Earlier in the week, Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to seize the Sinai Peninsula if Egypt attacked Israel, comments made ahead of the Yom Kippur War anniversary. The remarks followed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi’s statement that Egypt’s armed forces remain ready to defend the country at all times.
Key facts
- Global Guardians' 2026 Global Risk Map evaluates seven criteria to rank countries from low to extreme risk. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Iran, Yemen, Sudan, all of Ukraine and bordering Russian territory are classified as extreme‑risk. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Switzerland, Norway and Denmark are listed among the lowest‑risk nations. (dailymail.co.uk)
- The United Kingdom and United States are moderate‑risk, while the Republic of Ireland is low‑risk. (dailymail.co.uk)
- The Mexican side of the US‑Mexico border is marked as extreme‑risk. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Nigeria is noted for banditry, jihadism, organised crime and intercommunal violence, placing it in a high‑risk category. (dailymail.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “Global risk map reveals countries deemed 'extremely' dangerous”
