Analysis & Reports

On January 29, 2026, thirty fighters from the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) assaulted Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, using armed drones, light weapons, and mortars. This two-hour attack highlights the growing operational capacity of jihadist groups in the Sahel, amidst a deteriorating security situation in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where military juntas struggle to contain terrorism.

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USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) departed the Red Sea for Souda Bay, Crete, on March 12, 2026, following a significant fire that displaced over 600 sailors and damaged living quarters. The carrier's withdrawal temporarily reduces U.S. airpower in the Iran theater, prompting preparations for the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) to relieve it. The fire was not combat-related and is under investigation.

The Unified Force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) was established in December 2025, comprising 6,000 troops based in Niamey, Niger. This force aims to operate across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, focusing on countering jihadist threats. The AES has validated its operational capabilities through the Yereko 2 mission and has adopted a multipolar approach to military procurement, enhancing its strategic autonomy.

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The Nanchang Ship, part of the Liaoning Carrier Group, engaged two foreign vessels attempting to cross its formation in the Western Pacific at 6 AM. The Nanchang Ship executed tactical maneuvers to prevent the incursion, leading to the foreign vessels retreating after failing to respond to warnings.

Sudanese Sovereign Council Chairman Burhan announced that the Sudanese Armed Forces will not agree to a ceasefire until the Rapid Support Forces completely withdraw from occupied territories. He emphasized the need for a clear ceasefire timetable and the absence of illegal armed groups outside the government. The ongoing conflict, which began on April 15, 2023, has led to numerous civilian deaths.

The Nanchang Ship, part of the Liaoning Carrier Strike Group, engaged in a naval exercise in the Western Pacific at 6 AM. Two foreign ships attempted to cross the formation of the Chinese Navy but were warned and did not respond. The Nanchang Ship executed tactical maneuvers to prevent the crossing, leading the foreign vessels to retreat.

The U.S. Navy is retiring its Ticonderoga-class cruisers, which will result in a loss of 1,220 missile launch cells critical for Tomahawk strikes. This reduction in capacity poses a strategic concern as the Navy transitions to smaller Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which carry fewer missiles. The ongoing conflict with Iran has highlighted the increasing demand for Tomahawk missiles, further complicating the Navy's operational capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Air Force is modernizing the F-22 Raptor with upgrades called 'Raptor 2.0' to enhance its combat capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. These upgrades include new faceted low-drag external fuel tanks and underwing Infrared Search and Track pods, extending the fighter's combat radius and maintaining its stealth signature. This modernization aims to improve the F-22's effectiveness against threats such as China's J-20 aircraft, ensuring its relevance in future conflicts.

In March 2026, approximately 2,000 Chinese fishing vessels formed unusual formations in the East China Sea, indicating potential military posturing. The Chinese Coast Guard has increased its activities in the South China Sea, while Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam are exploring enhanced maritime security cooperation. Analysts view the mobilization of these vessels as a military demonstration, highlighting a shift in the regional maritime security environment.

Tanaka TakashiThu Mar 19 2026Loading...

Chad's military entered a state of maximum alert on March 18 following drone attacks from Sudan that killed at least 16 civilians in the border town of Tine. President Mahamat Idriss Déby ordered a counter-response to any further attacks and closed the 1,300-kilometer border with Sudan. A government team was dispatched to evaluate the situation and assess casualties and property damage.

USS Gerald R. Ford experienced a fire in the laundry room on March 12, 2023, affecting over 600 sailors and leading to significant operational disruptions. The fire resulted in injuries, with over 200 sailors treated for smoke inhalation, and necessitated repairs at a U.S. Navy base in Crete. The incident has raised concerns regarding the ship's extended deployment and equipment failures, impacting U.S. Navy operations in the region.

On January 29, 2026, the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) launched an assault on Niamey International Airport and Air Base 101, involving 30 fighters equipped with armed drones, light weapons, and mortars. The two-hour nighttime attack was repelled, but it underscored the ongoing threat posed by jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Despite intensified counter-terrorism operations, the incident revealed vulnerabilities in military infrastructure and the capability of insurgents to conduct coordinated attacks.

Marie DuboisWed Mar 18 2026Loading...

On March 12, 2023, a fire broke out in the main laundry spaces of the USS Gerald R. Ford while operating in the Red Sea, displacing over 600 sailors. The ship is now en route to Crete for repairs, as its laundry facilities remain inoperable. Two sailors were treated for injuries, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared the carrier strike group a military target.

Nigeria is leading military modernization in West Africa, acquiring 24 M-346FA aircraft and 12 AH-1Z Viper helicopters to enhance its capabilities against Boko Haram. Senegal and Mali are also increasing military imports, with Mali pivoting towards Russia for arms. The U.S. has approved a $346 million contract for precision munitions for Nigeria, while Nigeria seeks to develop local defense technologies with UAE investment.

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The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is operationalizing a unified force of 6,000 troops to combat jihadist threats in the Sahel, following a critical meeting in Ouagadougou on February 26, 2026. Concurrently, ECOWAS announced the activation of its standby force to deploy 2,000 soldiers by the end of 2026. The security situation continues to deteriorate, with increased attacks by groups like Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State's Sahel Province (ISSP), leading to significant civilian casualties and a fragmented security landscape.

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French President Emmanuel Macron ordered the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to redeploy from the Baltic Sea to the Eastern Mediterranean on March 3, 2026, to protect allied assets from Iranian missile and drone attacks. The carrier, accompanied by the frigate Languedoc, aims to secure maritime routes near Cyprus amidst escalating tensions in the region. This deployment underscores France's reliance on its single aircraft carrier as it prepares for future naval capabilities with the upcoming PANG program.

The USS Ford aircraft carrier is temporarily docking at Souda Bay, Crete, for repairs following a fire that occurred during military operations against Iran. The fire, which lasted several hours, affected approximately 200 crew members, with one requiring evacuation. The carrier remains operational and is currently located in the Red Sea.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to temporarily pull into Souda Bay, Crete, after a fire on board resulted in nearly 200 sailors being treated for smoke-related injuries. The fire, which occurred in the ship's main laundry area, took hours to control and affected approximately 100 sleeping berths. The carrier, with over 5,000 sailors and 75 military aircraft, has been deployed for nine months, participating in operations against Iran and Venezuela.

European NATO allies, including the UK and Germany, rejected U.S. President Trump's demands for military assistance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stating they do not wish to engage in the conflict with Iran. Iran had closed the strait to shipping on March 2, 2023, following U.S. and Israeli strikes. European leaders emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions and expressed concerns over the implications of U.S. military actions in the region.

European NATO allies rejected U.S. President Trump's demands for military assistance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force, emphasizing that they do not want to engage in the conflict with Iran. The Strait was closed to shipping by Iran on March 2, 2023, following U.S. and Israeli strikes. European leaders, including British Prime Minister Kier Starmer and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, stated that this is not Europe's war and called for diplomatic solutions instead of military involvement.