Japan's quiet parachute drills in the Philippines, part of the Kamandag exercise, are seen by analysts as reflecting a US strategy shift. This is alongside four other simultaneous, mostly American-led, military exercises across Asia, signaling a new phase in US deterrence and "first island chain" defense, empowering allies in regional security.
Renowned British photographer Don McCullin, 91, will release his final book, "Vietnam," revisiting his iconic images from the war, including his experiences during the 1968 Battle of Hue. McCullin, who retired from war photography at 75, reflects on the conflict's "madness" and questions the impact of his work.
US officials, diplomats, and spies are reportedly operating from the JW Marriott hotel in Caracas following a "military intervention" on January 3rd. The hotel has become a de facto US embassy, with conversations overheard discussing Venezuela's future, economic growth, and political fragmentation.
An Iranian government-linked cyber group called Handala Hack Team has leaked personal details of 2,379 US Marines stationed in the Persian Gulf region. The group published the names on Telegram, claiming the data demonstrates its surveillance capabilities and warning targeted personnel they were under watch. The Pentagon has launched a probe, with US officials confirming at least some of the released names belong to military members.
The US military released video footage on Tuesday of Marines boarding M/V Blue Star III, a commercial ship suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the US blockade of Iranian ports. After conducting a search and confirming the ship's voyage would not include an Iranian port call, US forces released the vessel. US Central Command reported 39 vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance with the blockade, which has effectively choked off nearly all exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Marines boarded and searched the M/V Blue Star III in the Arabian Sea to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports. The vessel was released after confirming it was not heading to Iran, as US forces continue to monitor shipping following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
US Navy destroyer USS Spruance intercepted Iranian-flagged cargo vessel TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday after the ship ignored repeated warnings to stop. The destroyer fired several rounds from its 5-inch MK 45 gun into the vessel's engine room, disabling its propulsion. US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded and took custody of the ship. Iran responded by launching drones toward US warships and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing violation of ceasefire conditions by the US naval blockade.
US Navy intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after it ignored six hours of warnings. The USS Spruance fired its 5-inch MK 45 gun into the vessel's engine room to disable it, then US Marines boarded and took custody. Iran retaliated by launching drones toward US warships and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until the US naval blockade is lifted.
