As hostilities increased in the Middle East on Thursday, the State Department warned Americans traveling abroad to "exercise increased caution" because of "the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests." 

Two days ago a "do not travel" warning was issued for Lebanon:

Raised to Level 4 and updated to reflect the authorized departure of family members of U.S. government personnel and some non-emergency personnel on a case-by-case basis.

Do Not travel to Lebanon due to the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges between Israel and Hizballah or other armed militant factions. Reconsider travel to Lebanon due to terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, kidnapping, and Embassy Beirut’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens. 

Any American citizen who needs to be told to stay out of Lebanon right now, or to "exercise increased caution" overseas at this moment probably doesn't deserve the courtesy of this warning, but now at least those who wake up every morning to find that the sky is, indeed, blue are on notice that right now isn't the best time to travel abroad.

As Streiff covered, the Pentagon announced Thursday that terrorists backed by Iran and operating in Yemen fired cruise missiles at a U.S. Navy destroyer Wednesday.

Wednesday night, the Arleigh Burke-class Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyer USS Carney engaged three cruise missiles and approximately eight drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi terrorists operating in Yemen. The missiles were all destroyed, as were the drones.

The Carney transited through Suez into the Red Sea on Wednesday afternoon.

It's safe to say that the nation is on edge ahead of President Joe Biden's primetime address, scheduled for 8 PM Eastern Wednesday.