1.) Somalia
iJet: 5
Control Risks: Extreme security and travel risk

Somalia is a lawless land, according to iJet and Control Risks. Various warlords in this East African country traffic weapons and narcotics, while James Smither of Control Risks says, "drugged-up" children and teenagers patrol the streets with guns. Among the risks visitors take are military clashes, kidnappings-for-ransom, pirate attacks and landmines. Even aid agency workers have been attacked, and foreign personnel have been relocated.


2.) Iraq
iJet: 5
Control Risks: Extreme security, terrorism and travel risk

Though security has improved in various regions of this war-torn nation, both iJet and Control Risks believe that the failure to reconcile the various political parties means that the country will endure prolonged fighting and instability. According to Control Risks, the highest-risk areas include Baghdad and stretch from Tikrit in the north to Hillah in the south, and from Ramadi in the west to Mandali in the east.


3.) Afghanistan
iJet: 5
Control Risks: Extreme security, terrorism and travel risk

Warlords, armed criminals and al-Qaeda and Taliban loyalists continue to defy the country's political authority or attack citizens and foreigners, making Afghanistan unstable for the short and long term. Terrorist attacks and bombings that target political leaders, military personnel and Westerners occur in Kabul and in other parts of the country. Threats to physical safety include improvised explosive devices and landmines.


4.) Haiti
iJet: 5
Control Risks: High security and travel risk;extreme travel risk in Port-au-Prince.

IJet has rated this Caribbean country as a five due to "overall lack of law and rule" in combination with persistent civil unrest and high kidnapping risks. Security improved after the long-delayed democratic election of a parliament and president took place in February 2006. However, Control Risks notes that firearms are easily available, police corruption is rampant and the justice system is "inefficient."


5.) Pakistan
iJet: 5
Control Risks: High security and terrorism risk, high travel risk in Karachi and Baluchistan (Extreme security and travel risk in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan)

Ongoing "geo-political turmoil" is a major reason why iJet rates Pakistan as a five. This includes but is not limited to intermittent bomb attacks and rioting between Shia and Sunni Muslim communities, the presence of domestic Islamic extremist groups with links to al-Qaeda, and strife over delayed elections, which culminated in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December 2007.


6.) Sudan
iJet: 5
Control Risks: Extreme security and travel risk in Darfur; high security and travel risk in Southern Sudan, Ethiopian and Eritrean border regions

Travelers are advised to stay out of southern Sudan and the Darfur region where government militias and troops continue to battle local insurgent groups. A peace agreement signed in 2005 established a new government and ceasefire, improving the security environment in some cities. Still, armed militias on the Western Upper Nile and the close proximity of the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda pose serious risks.


7.) Democratic Republic Of The Congo
iJet: 5
Control Risks: High security and travel risk--extreme security and travel risk in Ituri district.

A civil war that began in 1998 and formally ended in 2003 still affects this central African country. According to Control Risks, the withdrawal of Ugandan and Rwandan troops from North and South Kivu toward the end of the war created a power vacuum, which militia groups are trying to fill. Crime levels are high in major cities, and security conditions vary drastically even within minor distances.


8.) Lebanon
iJet: 5
Control Risks: High security risk, and medium terrorism and travel risk.

With the country divided by pro- and anti-Syrian forces, Lebanon is struggling to manage political tensions. Assassinations of high-profile leaders and military battles with Israel in southern Lebanon have made this difficult. Unless stability is restored, Control Risks foresees more assassinations, civil unrest and armed conflict.


9.) Zimbabwe
iJet: 5
Control Risks:High security risk, insignificant terrorism risk and medium travel risk.

IJet has deemed Zimbabwe a "failing state." Both government and economic affairs are dismal with an oppressive leadership that condones the use of force against dissenters and unimaginable rates of inflation as well as financial risk to foreign companies. Though the country is home to the tourist destination Victoria Falls, foreigners should be aware of anti-Western sentiments expressed by the government.


10.) Palestine
iJet: Gaza Strip, 5, West Bank, 4
Control Risks: High security and travel risk

Conflict in this Middle Eastern territory has been persistent for decades. The rise of Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip has created a precarious military and political situation with Israel. The lack of a strong government, high levels of poverty and chronic violence have persuaded iJet to rate the Gaza Strip as a five. The U.S. State Department advises U.S. citizens against traveling in the Gaza Strip.