Analysis & Reports

Turkey successfully tested the Typhoon Block 3 ballistic missile on July 4, 2026, achieving a direct hit on a small naval target several hundred kilometers away. This missile is part of Turkey's expanding military capabilities, which are raising concerns for Israel and the United States. The ongoing tensions between Turkey and Israel are linked to military operations in Syria and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a maritime coalition on July 30, 2026, involving 14 countries to protect Bab el-Mandeb. This coalition aims to enhance maritime security in the Red Sea and respond to regional threats, particularly from Iranian-backed militias. Notably, the UAE and Oman did not participate in the initial signing, reflecting regional sensitivities. The coalition seeks to establish a framework for collective maritime defense among over 50 nations.

Ahmed Al-RashidTue Aug 04 2026Loading...

AUSSOM requested a 24-month extension for its mission in Somalia during a meeting in Kampala on July 31, 2026. The defense ministers from contributing countries expressed concerns about the potential security vacuum that could be filled by Al-Shabaab if the mission were to end. The current force comprises approximately 11,146 troops, 680 police, and 85 civilians, with significant implications for regional stability and military operations.

Marie DuboisMon Aug 03 2026Loading...

USS Nevada served in the U.S. Navy from 1916 to 1946, participating in World War I and World War II. The battleship was involved in significant operations, including the D-Day landings and the attack on Pearl Harbor, where it was the only battleship to move under its own power. After the war, Nevada was subjected to atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, surviving both explosions before being decommissioned.

The Italian Navy intercepted a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea on August 2. The tanker, which refused to cooperate during inspection, was supported by a Greek naval vessel and a Polish maritime patrol aircraft. It was flagged under Cameroon and had departed from Benin, heading to Istanbul.

The Front de libération de l'Azawad (FLA) publicly displayed a video of 200 captured Malian soldiers on August 1, impacting the military narrative in Mali. This event follows accusations of the execution of soldiers after surrender during an ambush on July 18. The FLA's actions, alongside the JNIM, indicate a tactical convergence against the Malian state, complicating military operations in the Gao-Anefis-Kidal region.

Marie DuboisSun Aug 02 2026Loading...

USS Saratoga (CV-60) served in multiple military operations from 1956 to 1994, including combat in Vietnam and Desert Storm. The carrier launched and recovered various aircraft, engaging enemy forces and delivering significant ordnance. After decommissioning, Saratoga was dismantled in 2019 following unsuccessful preservation efforts.

The Shandong Carrier Group of the Chinese Navy conducted combat operations in the Western Pacific, with pilot Wang Zhongyuan engaging in aerial dogfights using J-15T fighter jets. The pilots demonstrated superior combat capabilities and tactics, emphasizing a shift towards beyond-visual-range engagements. Wang expressed a strong commitment to combat, contrasting with the more detached attitude of foreign pilots.

On July 25, 2026, a long column of armored vehicles and military trucks arrived in Bamako, Mali, delivered by the Russian cargo ship Mikhail Britnev. This shipment, which included BTR armored personnel carriers, was part of Russia's ongoing support for Africa Corps amid a severe security crisis in Mali, marked by increased attacks from armed groups. The logistical route involved transport through Togo and Burkina Faso, highlighting the complexities of military supply in the region.

Marie DuboisSun Aug 02 2026Loading...

Africa Corps conducted an airstrike in Kyrnia, Mali, on June 15, 2026, resulting in the deaths of 8 civilians, including 3 children. Approximately 100 JNIM fighters were present in the village at the time of the strike. The aircraft involved was identified as a Sukhoi Su-24, indicating Russian military support. Human Rights Watch reported on the incident, highlighting the complexities of targeting in areas under jihadist influence.

Marie DuboisSat Aug 01 2026Loading...

The Shandong Fleet conducted naval exercises in the Western Pacific, featuring air combat training led by Wang Zhongyuan. The Zunyi Ship participated in joint training, emphasizing the importance of advanced naval capabilities. The crew has been actively training for over 200 days annually, focusing on enhancing combat readiness.

USS North Carolina (BB-55) served as a shield for carriers during World War II, engaging in bombardment missions across various locations including Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Commissioned on April 9, 1941, the battleship was equipped with nine 16-inch guns and earned 15 battle stars before being decommissioned on June 27, 1947. Despite its formidable armament, North Carolina never engaged an enemy battleship in combat.

Chinese peacekeepers are conducting patrols and providing humanitarian aid in South Sudan, particularly in Juba and Wau, as of August 1, 2023. They are involved in medical assistance and infrastructure repair, commemorating the sacrifice of fallen peacekeepers. The Chinese medical team has treated over 70,000 patients since 2012, and Major General Wu Junhui has been appointed to lead the UN mission, underscoring China's commitment to peacekeeping efforts.

USS Massachusetts engaged in naval operations during World War II, including bombardments and anti-aircraft defense, from September 23, 1941, until her decommissioning on March 27, 1947. The battleship, armed with nine 16-inch guns, participated in significant battles across the Pacific, earning 11 battle stars. After her service, she was preserved as a museum ship in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Eight soldiers from the 24 Task Force Brigade were killed by an improvised explosive device on July 30, 2026, while escorting supplies along the Maiduguri-Dikwa route in Borno, Nigeria. This incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by ISWAP to Nigerian military logistics and operations in the region. The attack is part of a broader pattern of assaults aimed at disrupting supply lines.

Marie DuboisSat Aug 01 2026Loading...

The Shandong Carrier Group conducted naval operations in the Western Pacific, where pilot Wang Zhongyuan engaged in air combat training with the J-15T fighter aircraft. The J-15T demonstrated strong anti-jamming capabilities, allowing for long-range target engagement. This reflects a strategic shift towards beyond-visual-range combat, emphasizing the increasing combat readiness of naval aviation units.

The People's Liberation Army celebrated its 99th anniversary on August 1, 2023, with various events across Beijing, Liaoning, Xinjiang, and Djibouti. Military personnel engaged in activities to inspire loyalty and readiness, including revisiting military oaths and honoring revolutionary history. Retired soldiers and military families participated in the celebrations, emphasizing the importance of military traditions and patriotism.

China aims to expand its aircraft carrier fleet to nine by 2035, with three currently in commission and one under construction in Dalian. The People's Liberation Army Navy is increasing its naval operations in the Indo-Pacific, evidenced by five carrier deployments in 2025. The expansion necessitates the development of air wings and logistical support to enhance operational capabilities.

A Russian Kh-101 cruise missile crossed into Polish airspace early Thursday, landing near Tarnawa-Kolonia without causing injuries. In response, NATO and Polish forces activated air and ground defenses, scrambling two F-16s and a Mi-24 helicopter. The incident underscores the challenges NATO faces in air defense as Russia's conflict with Ukraine continues to impact neighboring countries.

Alexandra ReevesFri Jul 31 2026Loading...

The Africa Corps conducted an airstrike using a Sukhoi Su-24 in Kyrnia, Mali, on June 15, 2026, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians, including three children. The strike occurred during a livestock market day in a village controlled by JNIM, raising concerns about the targeting of civilians. Human Rights Watch reported on the incident, highlighting the implications of using heavy munitions in populated areas.

Marie DuboisFri Jul 31 2026Loading...