Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance due to the complex security environment. Be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area. Americans traveling to or from the Middle East should monitor information about airport and airline operations and develop contingency plans in advance. Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including U.S. businesses and other institutions. Read the latest country-specific alerts at: travel.state.gov/en/internat…

Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance due to the complex security environment. Be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties. The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly. Americans traveling to and from the Middle East should monitor information about airport and airline operations. Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including U.S. businesses and other institutions. Read the latest country-specific alerts at: travel.state.gov/en/internat……

The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and U.S. Consulate General in Dubai will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of Columbus Day.

U.S. citizens abroad who have not received their ballots at least 30 days before an election day can submit a completed Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), available via FVAP: fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Forms/…. Write in the candidates of your choice, then print, sign, and send the FWAB to your local election officials.

If you’re traveling internationally, we always recommend enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before you go. STEP is how U.S. embassies and consulates contact Americans in the area with safety alerts about everything, from transportation strikes to severe weather and security threats. You set the time period for receiving alerts and can unsubscribe at any time. Learn more at step.state.gov.

U.S. citizens voting absentee must SIGN their ballot for it to be counted. And if you're dropping off your voted ballot at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for return to the United States, make sure it is addressed to your local election officials and have sufficient U.S. postage or be in a postage-paid envelope. Double check postage before you mail your ballot!

Congratulations to our UAE partners on successfully hosting the 15th @CrimeCongressUN in Abu Dhabi. Our delegation, led by the Secretary's Special Representative David Bedard, is working shoulder to shoulder with Emirati and international law enforcement to combat transnational organized crime. @StateINL

U.S. citizens abroad should vote and send back their ballot as soon as they receive it. There are a number of options for returning completed ballots: • Via the U.S. Embassy– You or another person can drop off your ballot request / Form SF-76 Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request (FPCA) or completed ballot at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for return to the United States, including in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. For more information about ballot dropoff in the UAE, please visit: ae.usembassy.gov/voting/ • Via Fax, Email, or Internet – Some states permit electronic transmission of completed ballots. Consult the FVAP website for options in your state: fvap.gov. • Via Local mail – If you have a reliable mail service to the United States, put your ballot in the mail with appropriate international postage. • Via Express Courier Service – If time is short or local mail is unreliable, you can use commercial carrier services such as FedEx, DHL, or UPS at your own expense. NOTE: FedEx does not deliver to P.O. boxes.

The National Museum of American Diplomacy tells the story of how U.S. foreign policy helped shape America and the world.

Middle East: Due to tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation. Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports. This military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly. Americans outside the Middle East should seriously reconsider travel to and through the region. Those who do travel to or from the region should monitor information about airport and airline operations. U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including U.S. businesses and other institutions. Read the latest country-specific alerts at: travel.state.gov/en/internat……

79 years of breaking barriers—and counting. Happy birthday to the U.S. Air Force! From the Bell X-1 to today’s Airmen, innovation and service fuel our future.