Iran is preparing for a major drill in the Persian Gulf that may demonstrate its ability to restrict passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy supply chain choke points. 20% of all oil internationally-traded oil passes through the strait, and it has been the

The U.S. Navy uses both dolphins and sea lions to detect mines, lost objects, and enemy swimmers. Its force of dolphins, it’s “Mark 7 Marine Mammal Systems,” were recently part of a multinational naval exercise, where they locate and mark mines, which are in turn disposed of my human personnel. 

Today, Colombia is announcing companies eligible to recover the contents of a 310-year-old shipwreck with an estimated $4-$17 billion of gold, silver, and emeralds in its hold. Recovery of this wreck has been a many-year legal process with major fighting around who has the legal right to the treasure.  Source:

In the most recent example of declining relations between Russia and Finland (and other neighboring states), Russia staged an island invasion drill on an island within 24 miles from a Finnish city. These public drills have pushed Finland to increase defense spending and preparedness, with a 2017 defense reporting writing

In the midst of negative language from North Korea following the US Secretary of State’s visit to the country, South Korean military intelligence has shared that North Korea may be developing new nuclear submarines able to launch nuclear missiles. Such developments would further complicate U.S. efforts to denuclearize the peninsula

The U.S. has restated its commitment to maintaining open waterways in the Persian Gulf, following an implicit Iranian threat to block the route if the U.S. continues in its efforts to prevent its allies from importing Iranian oil. The waterway is an important channel of free navigation, and is used

Reflecting the arctic’s increased position as a strategic priority for China, the country recently opened bids for the production of its first nuclear-powered icebreaker. Russia currently dominates globally in terms of civilian-operated nuclear-powered icebreakers, maintaining a fleet of four with three more on the way. The Russian military fleet boasts

Australia has announced the purchase of a fleet of long-range, unmanned drones from the U.S. to support maritime monitoring of illegal fishing, human trafficking, and foreign navy movements. The drones will cover areas extending into the South China Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and even into the Antarctic. 

On the coattails of another restructuring that placed China’s People Armed Police Force and its 1.5 million employees under the structure of the People’s Liberation Army, the China Coast Guard has been restructured within the Central Military Commission. Experts predict that the integration will follow be patterned similarly to the

The most recent espionage case involving China and the US has surfaced, this time in China where a senior executive with the Chinese state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corp (CSIC) is accused of “gross violation of laws and party discipline,” by Chinese oversight bodies. Although the oversight bodies have not released