Here’s the cheat sheet: check the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories. If a country is Level 4, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. The list includes: Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Venezuela, North Korea, Iraq, and parts of Ukraine.
But hey, the world has 195 countries. Plenty of safe spots where the biggest risk is a sunburn or an overpriced piña colada. Go to Portugal. Eat a pastel de nata. Live your best life.
And if you absolutely must see the ruins of Palmyra, just Google it. Your phone won’t kidnap you. Probably.