Riftrate · May 2018
World tension in May 2018
In May 2018, Riftrate averaged 52.3 (Neutral), down 22.8 points from April 2018. It peaked at 79.8 on 17 May 2018 and was lowest at 34.2 on 5 May 2018.
Average52.3Neutral
High79.817 May 2018
Low34.25 May 2018
Change vs April▼ −22.8average to average
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
| Signal | Average | vs Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Escalation momentum | 17 | ▼ −50.0 |
| Media tone | 11 | ▼ −46.9 |
| War & military | 48 | ▼ −26.3 |
| Terrorism & mass violence | 53 | ▼ −25.3 |
| Domestic unrest | 63 | ▼ −22.9 |
| Economic coercion | 65 | ▲ +12.0 |
| Diplomatic rupture | 64 | ▼ −6.6 |
| Geopolitical risk (GPR) | 80 | ▲ +4.4 |
May 2018 in context
By its average, May 2018 was the 45th tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 11 of its 31 days in Tension or Crisis and 11 in Easing or Complacency. The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Afghanistan (26.9%), Yemen (26.0%), Syria (22.9%). Also this month: US leaves the Iran nuclear deal (8 May 2018).
Day by day
| Day | Riftrate | Zone | Day change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 May 2018 | 39.6 | Easing | ▼ −4.4 |
| 30 May 2018 | 44.0 | Easing | ▼ −0.7 |
| 29 May 2018 | 44.7 | Neutral | ▼ −1.5 |
| 28 May 2018 | 46.2 | Neutral | ▼ −2.6 |
| 27 May 2018 | 48.8 | Neutral | ▲ +1.6 |
| 26 May 2018 | 47.2 | Neutral | ▲ +0.2 |
| 25 May 2018 | 47.0 | Neutral | ▼ −1.1 |
| 24 May 2018 | 48.0 | Neutral | ▼ −3.4 |
| 23 May 2018 | 51.4 | Neutral | ▼ −5.5 |
| 22 May 2018 | 57.0 | Tension | ▼ −7.7 |
| 21 May 2018 | 64.7 | Tension | ▼ −7.4 |
| 20 May 2018 | 72.0 | Tension | ▼ −5.3 |
| 19 May 2018 | 77.4 | Crisis | ▼ −1.9 |
| 18 May 2018 | 79.3 | Crisis | ▼ −0.5 |
| 17 May 2018 | 79.8 | Crisis | ▲ +1.0 |
| 16 May 2018 | 78.8 | Crisis | ▲ +5.1 |
| 15 May 2018 | 73.7 | Tension | ▲ +5.6 |
| 14 May 2018 | 68.1 | Tension | ▲ +4.6 |
| 13 May 2018 | 63.5 | Tension | ▲ +3.6 |
| 12 May 2018 | 59.9 | Tension | ▲ +4.9 |
| 11 May 2018 | 55.0 | Neutral | ▲ +7.0 |
| 10 May 2018 | 48.0 | Neutral | ▲ +8.0 |
| 9 May 2018 | 40.0 | Easing | ▲ +5.3 |
| 8 May 2018 | 34.7 | Easing | ▲ +0.3 |
| 7 May 2018 | 34.4 | Easing | ▼ −0.5 |
| 6 May 2018 | 34.9 | Easing | ▲ +0.7 |
| 5 May 2018 | 34.2 | Easing | ▼ −1.1 |
| 4 May 2018 | 35.3 | Easing | ▼ −0.4 |
| 3 May 2018 | 35.7 | Easing | ▼ −1.6 |
| 2 May 2018 | 37.3 | Easing | ▼ −4.1 |
| 1 May 2018 | 41.3 | Easing | ▼ −4.3 |
Frequently asked questions
How tense was the world in May 2018?
Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 52.3 (Neutral) in May 2018: the 45th tensest of 104 months since March 2018.
What was the tensest day of May 2018?
17 May 2018, when Riftrate read 79.8 (Crisis).
Which countries were most tense in May 2018?
Afghanistan (26.9% of its news about armed violence), Yemen (26.0% of its news about armed violence), Syria (22.9% of its news about armed violence).