What is the PARALLAX World Intel Index?

The World Intel Index is a living intelligence platform covering 244 countries with real-time dual-axis risk scoring. It is the next generation replacement for the CIA World Factbook, which was discontinued on February 4, 2026. The Intel Index provides continuous monitoring, threat assessment, and comprehensive country data including GDP, population, military, and governance profiles.

What is the Signal Score?

The Signal Score measures real-time intelligence activity — the volume, severity, and breadth of stories detected for a given country. It ranges from 0-10, from Quiet (0-2) to Surge (8-10). A high Signal Score means significant activity is being detected, but does not inherently mean danger — elections, trade deals, and diplomatic summits all generate signal.

What is the Threat Index?

The Threat Index measures structural risk — the durable conditions that determine how stable, safe, and predictable a country is regardless of current headlines. It ranges from 0-10, from Low (0-2) to Critical (8-10). It factors in conflict potential, governance fragility, terrorism infrastructure, economic vulnerability, and cyber threats.

How is the World Intel Index different from the CIA World Factbook?

Unlike the CIA World Factbook which was a static reference updated annually, the PARALLAX World Intel Index is living intelligence updated daily. It combines comprehensive country reference data (similar to the Factbook) with real-time threat scoring, signal analysis, and intelligence briefings. It covers 244 countries with dual-axis risk assessment that the Factbook never offered.

Is the World Intel Index free to use?

Yes. The PARALLAX World Intel Index is offered as a free intelligence platform, open for the whole world to use — students, educators, researchers, journalists, military personnel, and policymakers.

World Intel Index

The World Intel Index is “living intelligence” for every country on earth. Continuous monitoring, dual risk scoring, and predictive analysis, all update in real time on a daily basis. The situation on the ground in any environment, can change on a moment’s notice. Our scoring and analysis are built with the capability to provide as much accurate and timely information as possible, without waiting days, weeks, or months for relevant and important updates.

On February 4th, 2026, the CIA quietly discontinued the CIA World Factbook. This valuable tool has been used for decades by thousands of students, educators, researchers, journalists, the military, and policymakers. The Parallax World Intel Index is coming online just at the right moment to replace the CIA World Factbook. The Intel Index will become the next generation of that resource. We will offer it as a free intelligence platform, open for the whole world to use.

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244

Countries

690

Stories Analyzed

341

Predictions Tracked

73%

Prediction Accuracy

Highest Signal Activity — Last 24h

Iran

Recent activity detected across multiple intelligence sources

Signal: 7.7Threat: 10.0

Saudi Arabia

Recent activity detected across multiple intelligence sources

Signal: 7.5Threat: 4.9

Israel

Recent activity detected across multiple intelligence sources

Signal: 7.5Threat: 10.0

United States

Recent activity detected across multiple intelligence sources

Signal: 7.4Threat: 7.0

China

Recent activity detected across multiple intelligence sources

Signal: 7.4Threat: 7.3

Explore

◆Rankings & Comparisons→

How We Score

PARALLAX measures country risk on two independent axes. Most platforms collapse everything into one number. We don't — because a noisy country and a dangerous country are not the same thing, and confusing the two leads to bad decisions.

Axis 1

Signal Score

"How much is happening right now?"

Measures real-time intelligence activity — the volume, severity, and breadth of stories our pipeline is detecting for a given country. A high Signal Score means we're picking up a lot of significant chatter. It does not inherently mean danger — elections, trade deals, and diplomatic summits all generate signal. Think of it as a volume dial on intelligence noise.

0–2QuietBaseline activity. Normal diplomatic and economic signals.

2–4ActiveAbove-average story volume. One or two developing situations.

4–6ElevatedSignificant signal across multiple categories. Active developments.

6–8IntenseHigh-volume, multi-category intelligence. Rapidly evolving situation.

8–10SurgeExceptional signal density. Major event or crisis unfolding in real time.

Axis 2

Threat Index

"How dangerous is the underlying reality?"

Measures structural risk — the durable conditions that determine how stable, safe, and predictable a country is regardless of today's headlines. Conflict potential, governance fragility, terrorism infrastructure, economic vulnerability, infrastructure resilience, and travel safety. A country can be quiet and still deeply dangerous. This is the number that doesn't change on slow news days.

0–2LowStable governance, low conflict risk, safe for travel and business.

2–4ModerateGenerally stable but with areas of concern. Exercise normal caution.

4–6ElevatedMeaningful instability or risk factors. Heightened awareness warranted.

6–8HighActive threats to stability. Conflict, terrorism, or economic crisis present.

8–10CriticalFailed or failing state conditions. Active conflict or systemic collapse.

Reading the Two Scores Together

Signal Low

Signal Mid

Signal High

Threat Low

Stable & Quiet
e.g., Switzerland

Active but Safe
e.g., Germany (election)

Noisy but Not Dangerous
e.g., UK (political crisis)

Threat Mid

Calm Before Storm?
e.g., Venezuela (lull)

Developing Situation
e.g., Turkey

Escalating Risk
e.g., Taiwan (PLA activity)

Threat High

Quiet but Dangerous
e.g., North Korea (lull)

Active Crisis
e.g., Iran

Critical Emergency
e.g., Syria, Ukraine

What Feeds Each Score

Signal Input

Story Volume

Number of PARALLAX stories detected, normalized against this country's own 30-day baseline — not compared to other countries.

Weight: 25%

Signal Input

Story Severity

Average relevance score of detected stories. Higher relevance = more consequential developments.

Weight: 40%

Signal Input

Category Spread

Number of distinct PARALLAX categories represented. Problems appearing across MILITARY, ECONOMIC, and CYBER simultaneously indicate systemic risk.

Weight: 15%

Signal Input

Momentum & Deep Dives

7-day moving average direction plus bonus signal when stories warrant deep-dive analysis — indicating significant developments.

Weight: 20%

Threat Input

Conflict & Stability

Active armed conflicts, civil unrest history, coup risk, border disputes, peacekeeping presence, and internal security force posture.

Weight: 30%

Threat Input

Governance & Rule of Law

Government type stability, corruption index, press freedom, judicial independence, democratic institutions, and transition of power history.

Weight: 20%

Threat Input

Terrorism & Non-State Actors

Known terrorist presence, non-state armed groups, transnational criminal organizations, and State Department travel advisories.

Weight: 20%

Threat Input

Economic & Infrastructure Vulnerability

Economic fragility (inflation, unemployment, debt), energy dependency, infrastructure resilience, food security, and sanctions exposure.

Weight: 15%

Threat Input

Cyber & Asymmetric Threat

State-sponsored cyber capability, known APT groups, critical infrastructure targeting history, and information warfare posture.

Weight: 15%

Key Principle

Trajectory Matters More Than Position

A Signal Score rising from 3 to 4.5 is more significant than a score stable at 6. Both scores include trend indicators — the direction of movement is often the earliest warning sign.

All Countries

Country

Signal

Threat

Level

Trend

Activity