RIFTRATE Get the gauge

World tension in September 2020

In September 2020, Riftrate averaged 42.6 (Easing), up 10.5 points from August 2020. It peaked at 51.6 on 2 September 2020 and was lowest at 31.2 on 23 September 2020. Major event: Abraham Accords (15 September 2020).

Average42.6Easing
High51.62 September 2020
Low31.223 September 2020
Change vs August▲ +10.5average to average
Riftrate · September 2020
025507510017 Aug24 Aug31 Aug7 Sep14 Sep21 Sep28 SepAbraham Accords, 15 September 2020
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
SignalAveragevs Aug
Economic coercion71▲ +29.7
Media tone68▼ −15.6
Geopolitical risk (GPR)33▲ +14.9
War & military37▲ +11.0
Domestic unrest61▲ +6.4
Escalation momentum36▲ +5.6
Terrorism & mass violence25▲ +4.8
Diplomatic rupture52▼ −3.9

September 2020 in context

By its average, September 2020 was the 68th tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 0 of its 30 days in Tension or Crisis and 14 in Easing or Complacency. That is 8.4 points higher than in September 2019 (34.3). The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Yemen (18.4%), Syria (17.3%), Somalia (16.7%). Also this month: War in Nagorno-Karabakh (27 September 2020).

Day by day
DayRiftrateZoneDay change
30 September 202047.6Neutral▲ +2.2
29 September 202045.4Neutral▲ +4.1
28 September 202041.3Easing▲ +4.3
27 September 202037.0Easing▲ +4.4
26 September 202032.6Easing▲ +0.8
25 September 202031.8Easing▲ +0.6
24 September 202031.2Easing0.0
23 September 202031.2Easing▼ −1.0
22 September 202032.2Easing▼ −1.8
21 September 202034.0Easing▼ −1.5
20 September 202035.5Easing▼ −3.2
19 September 202038.7Easing▼ −3.8
18 September 202042.5Easing▼ −4.1
17 September 202046.5Neutral▼ −2.5
16 September 202049.1Neutral▲ +0.9
15 September 202048.2Neutral▲ +1.5
14 September 202046.7Neutral▼ −0.4
13 September 202047.1Neutral▲ +1.6
12 September 202045.5Neutral▲ +1.3
11 September 202044.2Easing▲ +1.8
10 September 202042.4Easing▲ +0.4
9 September 202042.0Easing▼ −2.9
8 September 202044.9Neutral▼ −1.7
7 September 202046.7Neutral▲ +0.3
6 September 202046.4Neutral▼ −0.8
5 September 202047.1Neutral▼ −1.7
4 September 202048.8Neutral▼ −1.4
3 September 202050.2Neutral▼ −1.4
2 September 202051.6Neutral▲ +0.6
1 September 202050.9Neutral▲ +1.5
Previous: August 2020All of 2020Next: October 2020

Frequently asked questions

How tense was the world in September 2020?

Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 42.6 (Easing) in September 2020: the 68th tensest of 104 months since March 2018.

What was the tensest day of September 2020?

2 September 2020, when Riftrate read 51.6 (Neutral).

Which countries were most tense in September 2020?

Yemen (18.4% of its news about armed violence), Syria (17.3% of its news about armed violence), Somalia (16.7% of its news about armed violence).