September 2026 — World Tension 58.5
21 days · ModerateWorld tension started the month at its lowest point of 52 on September 1st, remaining in the Moderate zone overall with a monthly average of 58.5. Tension was pushed up by Russian attacks in Ukraine that injured at least 19 people, killed eight, and targeted two vessels in the Black Sea, alongside a Ukrainian drone barrage during Russian elections. Concerns also rose over Russian drone threats to Western officials travelling to Kyiv, warnings from Poland about possible Russian strikes against Ukraine's allies, and the impact of the war involving Iran on two billion South Asians. Some relief came from reports of a secret deal between the US and the Houthis regarding the war in Yemen, though tension still reached a peak of 63 on September 16th. The month ended with the index remaining in the Moderate category.
Peak 63 on 2026-09-16 · low 52 on 2026-09-01 · live month, refreshes daily · ← August · 2026 overview ·
What moved the score
biggest daily changes and the news that day2026-09-20+5 → 62
2026-09-02+3 → 55
No matching headline archived for this day.
2026-09-18-3 → 58
2026-09-07+2 → 57
No matching headline archived for this day.
2026-09-10+2 → 61
No matching headline archived for this day.
2026-09-11-2 → 59
No matching headline archived for this day.
Key headlines of September
- Russia’s drones threaten Kyiv-bound Western officials as war effort stalls Al Jazeera · 2026-09-19 · tension 93
- At least 19 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine Al Jazeera · 2026-09-17 · tension 84
- Russia’s plans may include strikes against Ukraine’s allies, Poland says Al Jazeera · 2026-09-18 · tension 84
- Ukraine fires drone barrage as Russia launches elections Al Jazeera · 2026-09-18 · tension 78
- Russia kills eight people in Ukraine, attacks two vessels in Black Sea Al Jazeera · 2026-09-19 · tension 75
- ‘My children did not attack Iran’: 2bn South Asians suffer from distant war Al Jazeera · 2026-09-18 · tension 66
- A four-minute warning isn't enough: Russia's new relentless missile tactics exhaust Kyiv residents BBC World · 2026-09-19 · tension 64
- Two killed in Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow, says Russia Al Jazeera · 2026-09-20 · tension 64
- Israel is killing the people who could end its wars Al Jazeera · 2026-09-18 · tension 64
- Eight children among 21 killed after war-damaged Gaza building collapses, rescuers say BBC World · 2026-09-16 · tension 62
What calmed things down
- Russia ‘sabotaging’ power supply lines at Zaporizhzhia plant: Greenpeace Al Jazeera
- Reports: US, Houthis make secret deal over Yemen war Al Jazeera
- How will Saudi Arabia deal with the Houthis? Al Jazeera
- Denmark says ‘binding’ US deal on Greenland won’t compromise sovereignty Al Jazeera
- US and Denmark reach deal over Greenland after Trump annexation threats BBC World
Every index in September 2026
| Index | Average | Low | High | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Tension | 58.5 | 52 | 63 | Moderate |
| Food Security | 50.2 | 45 | 61 | Stable |
| Currency Stress | 15.9 | 15 | 17 | Calm |
| Shipping Stress | 35.2 | 27 | 46 | Calm |
| Sanctions | 30.9 | 22 | 39 | Calm |
| Energy Security | 43.1 | 31 | 50 | Stable |
| Gold & Silver | 57.1 | 54 | 62 | Moderate |
| Crypto F&G | 55.6 | 51 | 61 | Moderate |
| AI Risk | 37.6 | 34 | 41 | Calm |
Day by day
| Date | Score | Zone | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-01 | 52 | Stable | |
| 2026-09-02 | 55 | Moderate | +3 |
| 2026-09-03 | 54 | Stable | -1 |
| 2026-09-04 | 55 | Moderate | +1 |
| 2026-09-05 | 56 | Moderate | +1 |
| 2026-09-06 | 55 | Moderate | -1 |
| 2026-09-07 | 57 | Moderate | +2 |
| 2026-09-08 | 58 | Moderate | +1 |
| 2026-09-09 | 59 | Moderate | +1 |
| 2026-09-10 | 61 | Moderate | +2 |
| 2026-09-11 | 59 | Moderate | -2 |
| 2026-09-12 | 59 | Moderate | 0 |
| 2026-09-13 | 60 | Moderate | +1 |
| 2026-09-14 | 62 | Moderate | +2 |
| 2026-09-15 | 62 | Moderate | 0 |
| 2026-09-16 | 63 | Moderate | +1 |
| 2026-09-17 | 61 | Moderate | -2 |
| 2026-09-18 | 58 | Moderate | -3 |
| 2026-09-19 | 57 | Moderate | -1 |
| 2026-09-20 | 62 | Moderate | +5 |
| 2026-09-21 | 63 | Moderate | +1 |
Headlines are linked to their original publishers. Story written from the engine's own numbers and these headlines only · download the year.