Explain the impending crisis that the duke and his senators face at the beginning of Act I Scene 3 of Othello.

We see the senators and the Duke in a very important
council of war at the beginning of Act I scene 3. Although the precise number of ships
is not specified, and indeed the group of leaders have received differing accounts, all
reports agree that the fleet of galleys, however many they are, are a Turkish fleet, and
that they are heading towards Cyprus. Note what the Second Senator
says:

As in
these cases, where the aim reports,

'Tis oft with
difference--yet do they all confirm

A Turkish fleet, and
bearing up to Cyprus.

Of
course, news arrives to suggest that the fleet is going to attack Rhodes, which the
group of leaders shrewdly interpret as a deflecting tactic on behalf of the fleet, as
Rhodes was more heavily defended than Cyprus, and Cyprus was actually far more important
to the Turks. Of course, the military meeting is interrupted by the arrival of the main
characters and Brabantio's charges against Othello.