Analysis & Reports

USS Nimitz will remain in service until 2027 due to the ongoing war in Iran, which has strained the U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier fleet. USS Gerald R. Ford is currently deployed in the Red Sea for over ten months, while USS Abraham Lincoln operates in the Gulf of Oman. An international coalition is being formed to escort commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with the U.S. Navy playing a key role in these operations.

The AES Unified Force, comprising 6,000 troops, was launched in December 2025 in Niamey, Niger, to counter jihadist violence in West Africa. This force represents a shift towards strategic autonomy, moving away from reliance on external funding and partnerships. Concurrently, the ECOWAS Rapid Deployment Force plans to mobilize 2,000 soldiers by the end of 2026 to address the growing threat from armed groups. Recent attacks by JNIM in Burkina Faso highlight the ongoing security challenges in the region.

Marie DuboisTue Mar 17 2026Loading...

Seventeen nations, including Egypt, Turkey, and Taiwan, continue to rely on the M60 Patton main battle tank, particularly the M60A3 variant, which remains a strategic asset into 2026. The U.S. Marine Corps utilized the M60A3 effectively during Operation Desert Storm, achieving a significant kill ratio against enemy forces. Despite its retirement from U.S. service in 1997, the M60's legacy endures with various foreign military forces.

In February 2026, ECOWAS announced the deployment of 2,000 soldiers to combat escalating jihadist violence in the Sahel, while the Sahel Alliance, comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has 6,000 troops. IS-Sahel attacked Niamey's airport, exposing security weaknesses, and JNIM has conducted over 500 attacks in Burkina Faso, controlling significant territory. The U.S. has intensified its military support in the region.

Marie DuboisMon Mar 16 2026Loading...

Systematic introduced new capabilities in SitaWare Maritime for coordinating submarine operations and mine countermeasures. The PMI Planning Capability enhances safe coordination among coalition forces, while the Mine Countermeasures Planning capability aids in clearing mined waters. These updates are part of the 2026 SitaWare suite update cycle, aimed at improving interoperability in contested environments such as the Indo-Pacific and North Atlantic.

JNIM launched a coordinated offensive in Burkina Faso from February to March 2026, resulting in over 120 casualties among Burkinabè defense forces. In response, AES conducted airstrikes in Mali, killing 35 JNIM fighters. The attack on Niamey airport by ISIS highlighted vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the ongoing threat posed by jihadist groups in the Sahel.

Marie DuboisMon Mar 16 2026Loading...

UN peacekeepers were shot at three times during a patrol in southern Lebanon on March 15. The attacks, likely carried out by non-state armed groups, prompted the peacekeepers to return fire in self-defense. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the peacekeepers.

Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on over 200 targets in Western and Central Iran on March 16. The targets included command centers, air defense systems, and weapons storage and production facilities associated with Iranian personnel activities. The Israeli Defense Forces released videos of the operations on social media.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps warned of targeting logistics for the USS Ford aircraft carrier as U.S. plans to form a maritime coalition in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has reportedly destroyed four U.S. missile defense systems and launched around 700 missiles and 3600 drones against U.S. and Israeli targets. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in 850 deaths since March 2.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported the destruction of four U.S. missile defense systems and the launch of approximately 700 missiles and 3600 drones targeting U.S. and Israeli assets. The IRGC has identified logistics supporting the USS Ford aircraft carrier as a target, amid ongoing military operations in the Red Sea.

The Pentagon released the 2026 National Defense Strategy, emphasizing deterrence by denial in the Indo-Pacific. The strategy calls for increased defense spending from allies and outlines plans for enhanced military presence, including rotational deployments and advanced weapon systems. However, it notably omits explicit commitments regarding Taiwan, raising concerns about deterrence credibility. Allies are responding with increased defense budgets, while the U.S. seeks to balance its commitments between the Indo-Pacific and the Western Hemisphere.

Marcus ChenSun Mar 15 2026Loading...

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) operationalized a joint military force of 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers in December 2025 amid escalating terrorist violence in the region. Concurrently, the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO) is establishing a rapid reaction force, with a target of 2,000 personnel by the end of 2026. The U.S. has adapted its strategy, providing intelligence support to the Sahel nations despite their increasing ties with Russia.

Marie DuboisSun Mar 15 2026Loading...

The Central Theater Command Air Force conducted a comprehensive practical exercise to test its integrated support capabilities, including emergency response and the establishment of a field airport in an unfamiliar region. The exercise involved firefighting units, drones, and support vehicles, demonstrating rapid response to simulated enemy attacks and ensuring operational readiness.

The Unified Force of the Sahel Alliance (AES) deployed 6,000 soldiers from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in March 2026 to combat escalating jihadist threats. Concurrently, the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO) is mobilizing its own regional force. Recent operations have intensified, with significant airstrikes against jihadist positions. The situation remains complex due to political divisions between AES and CEDEAO member states, impacting regional coordination against jihadist groups.

Marie DuboisSun Mar 15 2026Loading...

The USS Blue Ridge and USS Mount Whitney, the U.S. Navy's amphibious command ships, are actively engaged in naval operations and diplomatic missions in the Black Sea, Italy, and Japan. They are set to achieve operational milestones in Libya and New Zealand by 2025. Both ships play critical roles as flagships for their respective fleets and have been extended in service until 2039 due to their advanced command and control capabilities.

The U.S. Navy has extended the service life of the USS Nimitz until March 2027, reversing plans to retire the aircraft carrier. The Nimitz recently completed a nine-month deployment supporting U.S. Central Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, including operations against ISIS in Somalia. It will now shift to Naval Station Norfolk for inactivation and defueling.

The U.S. Department of Defense released its 2026 National Defense Strategy, emphasizing collective defense in the Indo-Pacific and expecting allies to take on more responsibility. The strategy highlights the importance of regional partnerships while providing limited support from the U.S. Concerns arise regarding the ambiguity of U.S. responses to Chinese provocations, particularly in gray-zone scenarios. Taiwan expresses anxiety over its status in U.S. priorities, while military activities in the region continue.

Marcus ChenSat Mar 14 2026Loading...

Burkinabè and Malian forces conducted successful military operations against terrorist groups in February and March 2026, regaining control of key towns and neutralizing over 100 militants. The operations included airstrikes and ground assaults, reflecting a coordinated effort by the Alliance of Sahel States. However, the JNIM continues to pose a significant threat, having conducted over 500 attacks in 2025 and controlling substantial territory in Burkina Faso. The situation remains precarious as terrorist groups adapt and maintain operational capabilities.

Marie DuboisSat Mar 14 2026Loading...

The U.S. Navy has introduced the AIM-174B Gunslinger missile to enhance its long-range air-to-air capabilities. This missile, derived from the SM-6, allows Navy pilots to engage adversaries at greater distances, addressing a gap left by the AIM-54 Phoenix's retirement. The deployment of the Gunslinger is part of the Navy's strategy to maintain readiness in the Indo-Pacific region and counter potential threats.

In March 2026, the Unified Force of the Sahel Alliance (AES), comprising 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, was deployed to counter a surge in jihadist attacks. Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) initiated a coordinated offensive primarily in Burkina Faso, while the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) executed attacks near regional capitals. The AES seeks strategic autonomy following the severance of military ties with Western nations, amidst ongoing security challenges in the region.

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