Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Navy will commission the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. on April 11, 2024, at Naval Station Norfolk. This Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer honors Col. Harvey Curtiss Barnum Jr. for his bravery during the Vietnam War. Martha Hill, Barnum's wife, will sponsor the ship during the ceremony.

The U.S. Air Force is conducting airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, specifically targeting the Taleghan 2 site near Tehran, using 12 B-1B Lancers and 3 B-52 Stratofortresses. This operation, involving GBU-31 JDAMs with BLU-109 warheads, aims to degrade Iran's nuclear capabilities and loitering munition networks. The strikes are part of a broader strategy to prevent Iran from reinforcing its buried nuclear assets.

Norway declared 2026 as the year of total defense, integrating civilian efforts into military readiness. NATO's Cold Response 2026 exercise commenced in March 2026, focusing on civil-military resilience in the Arctic. Denmark committed 88 billion Kroner to enhance Arctic defense, including F-35 procurement. The EU announced plans to integrate defense industry cooperation with India, signaling a shift in security partnerships.

Dr. Klaus WeberThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) launched a coordinated attack on military posts in Kofono, Benin, on March 7, 2026, resulting in 15 fatalities and 5 injuries among Beninese security forces. This incident highlights a significant strategic shift as jihadist groups expand their operations from the Sahel to coastal West Africa, exploiting regional security weaknesses.

Marie DuboisThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

NATO activated a ballistic missile defense posture on March 5, 2026, following an Iranian missile threat to Turkey. Concurrently, NATO began the Cold Response military exercises in Norway on March 9, emphasizing civilian preparedness. European nations are diversifying arms procurement, reducing reliance on U.S. military hardware, with Germany projected to significantly increase defense spending by 2029. These developments reflect a strategic shift in European defense in response to ongoing threats.

Alexandra ReevesThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

The U.S. military has spent over $11 billion in the first week of operations against Iran, with ongoing airstrikes and naval engagements. Senator Chris Murphy criticized the incoherence of U.S. war plans, particularly regarding the lack of a strategy for the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian retaliatory strikes have damaged at least 11 U.S. military bases in the region, raising concerns about the conflict's escalation and its impact on international shipping.

JNIM launched a large-scale offensive in February 2026, targeting military forces in Burkina Faso, following the defection of commander Sadou Samahouna to ISIS. The offensive included over 30 attacks, resulting in more than 120 casualties among soldiers and pro-government militias. The most lethal attack occurred in Titao, where 80 military personnel and militia members were killed. Concurrently, ISIS conducted its own offensive against JNIM positions, highlighting the ongoing conflict between these jihadist groups in the Sahel region.

Marie DuboisThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

The USS Gerald R. Ford experienced a non-combat fire in its laundry room while operating in the Red Sea on Thursday. The fire was successfully extinguished, and the ship remains fully operational. Two sailors sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. The carrier is currently deployed in support of Operation Epic Fury.

Germany is significantly increasing its defense spending to 150 billion euros annually by 2029, marking a major shift in its military policy. The Bundeswehr is set to enhance its capabilities with new tanks, aircraft, and naval vessels. Concurrently, the EU is expanding its defense partnerships and discussing strategic autonomy amid rising tensions with the United States. NATO's Cold Response 2026 exercise involves over 20,000 troops, emphasizing operational effectiveness and societal resilience.

Alexandra ReevesThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

Malian, Burkinabè, and Nigerien forces conducted coordinated military operations from February 21 to March 9, 2026, eliminating over 100 terrorists. The Malian Armed Forces executed a surgical airstrike in Yanfolila, while the Burkinabè army launched a counter-offensive in Northern Sahel. Nigerien forces successfully repelled an attack on the Tahua airport. These actions reflect an intensified commitment to counter-terrorism amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel.

Marie DuboisThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

In April 1915, U.S. Navy Chief Gunner's Mate Frank Crilley conducted a rescue operation for a trapped diver at a depth of 275 feet off Honolulu, Hawaii. Crilley successfully untangled his comrade, who was ensnared by cables, and brought him to the surface alive. This act of valor earned Crilley the Medal of Honor, highlighting his significant contributions to naval diving and rescue operations.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) deployed 5,000 to 6,000 troops in December 2025 to combat jihadist insurgency, while the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plans a 260,000-strong anti-terror force by 2026. Jihadist groups, including JNIM and EIGS, have intensified attacks in the Sahel, notably against military installations in Burkina Faso and Niger. This military escalation highlights the political rivalry between AES and ECOWAS amid a deteriorating security situation in the region.

Marie DuboisThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) deployed a unified force of 5,000 to 6,000 fighters in December 2025 to combat jihadist insurgency in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced plans for a larger regional anti-terrorist force comprising 260,000 soldiers, supported by a $2.5 billion annual budget. This situation highlights the political divide between the military juntas in the Sahel and the broader ECOWAS community.

Marie DuboisThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

Iran has begun mining the Strait of Hormuz, utilizing rocket-deployed mines and small boats, with estimates of 2,000 to 6,000 mines available. The Iranian Navy and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are actively involved in this operation, which poses a significant threat to maritime traffic. U.S. intelligence confirms the ongoing mining activities as part of Operation Epic Fury, while U.S. forces have targeted Iranian naval assets in response.

Taiwan's ROCS Hai Kun (SS-771) is operational in the Taiwan Strait, designed to deter potential Chinese invasions. Equipped with advanced stealth technology, it integrates Mark 48 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles for maritime defense. The submarine's capabilities enhance Taiwan's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance efforts against the People's Liberation Army Navy.

U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six is preparing for a potential raid on Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export terminal, to disrupt 90% of the country's oil exports. This operation, which may involve HALO jumps and SEAL Delivery Vehicles, poses significant risks of U.S. casualties and could impact global oil prices. The mission aims to leverage control over Iran's energy lifeline amid ongoing military operations in the region.

The Kazan submarine of the Russian Northern Fleet launched an Onyx cruise missile during a training exercise in the Barents Sea, successfully hitting a target 300 kilometers away. This event is part of the fleet's operational training plan. The Kazan is the first improved Yasen-class nuclear submarine, commissioned in May 2021.

Taiwan's Army conducted a drone combat training exercise on March 10, 2026, involving the 58th Artillery Command's UAV battalion. Soldiers utilized first-person-view attack drones in a simulated urban environment, practicing reconnaissance and precision strikes. The exercise aimed to improve drone operators' skills and develop operational concepts for unmanned systems in urban combat scenarios.

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Ursa Major conducted a successful test flight of the Affordable Rapid Missile Demonstrator (ARMD) in the United States, achieving supersonic speeds. This flight validated operational concepts for the missile powered by the Draper liquid rocket engine, emphasizing advancements in rapidly deployable missile technologies. The project showcases collaboration between AFRL and private industry to develop cost-effective missile systems.

The USS George H.W. Bush is set to deploy to the eastern Mediterranean, joining the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln in operations against Iranian military infrastructure. This deployment enhances U.S. naval capabilities in the region, allowing for hundreds of strike sorties daily and increasing deterrence against Iranian actions, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.