September 2026 — World Tension 59.5
30 days · ModerateWorld tension started September at its lowest point of 52 before rising throughout the month. Global anxiety was pushed up by deadly Russian attacks across Ukraine, including strikes that killed eight people while the U.S. stepped up diplomacy, and drone threats against Western officials traveling to Kyiv. Poland also warned that Russia might plan strikes against Ukraine's allies, while Ukraine launched a drone barrage of its own during Russian elections. On the other hand, things were temporarily calmed by a statement from an Iranian minister advocating for negotiation to end conflict and reports of a secret U.S.-Houthi deal over the war in Yemen. Overall, the month ended in the Moderate zone with a peak tension score of 65 reached on September 24th and a monthly average of 59.5.
Peak 65 on 2026-09-24 · low 52 on 2026-09-01 · locked record · ← August · 2026 overview · October →
What moved the score
biggest daily changes and the news that day2026-09-24+7 → 65
2026-09-20+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.
Key headlines of September
- Russia’s drones threaten Kyiv-bound Western officials as war effort stalls Al Jazeera · 2026-09-19 · tension 93
- Russian strikes on Ukraine kill three as Zelenskyy in US for UN summit Al Jazeera · 2026-09-22 · tension 90
- Russian strikes kill eight, injure dozens across Ukraine Al Jazeera · 2026-09-28 · tension 87
- 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
- Russian attacks kill eight people across Ukraine as US steps up diplomacy Al Jazeera · 2026-09-24 · tension 72
- Russia launches largest attack on Ukraine energy infrastructure since spring BBC World · 2026-09-30 · tension 69
- Ethiopia's army says it has repelled attacks in first comment on fresh fighting BBC World · 2026-09-25 · tension 68
What calmed things down
- Iranian minister says only negotiation can end conflict after Trump rejects Hormuz deal BBC World
- 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
- Why has Trump rejected Iran’s peace proposal? Al Jazeera
Every index in September 2026
| Index | Average | Low | High | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Tension | 59.5 | 52 | 65 | Moderate |
| Food Security | 51.8 | 44 | 68 | Stable |
| Currency Stress | 17.4 | 15 | 22 | Calm |
| Shipping Stress | 37.8 | 27 | 47 | Calm |
| Sanctions | 28.5 | 21 | 39 | Calm |
| Energy Security | 46.5 | 31 | 61 | Stable |
| Gold & Silver | 56.2 | 52 | 62 | Moderate |
| Crypto F&G | 56.2 | 51 | 65 | Moderate |
| AI Risk | 36.0 | 33 | 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 | 60 | Moderate | -2 |
| 2026-09-22 | 60 | Moderate | 0 |
| 2026-09-23 | 58 | Moderate | -2 |
| 2026-09-24 | 65 | Moderate | +7 |
| 2026-09-25 | 64 | Moderate | -1 |
| 2026-09-26 | 63 | Moderate | -1 |
| 2026-09-27 | 62 | Moderate | -1 |
| 2026-09-28 | 63 | Moderate | +1 |
| 2026-09-29 | 64 | Moderate | +1 |
| 2026-09-30 | 62 | Moderate | -2 |
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