- Japan Announces 2 Major Western Pacific Exercises with U.S.
The U.S. and Japan will hold two exercises in Japan in late June, Resolute Dragon 26 and the Japan segment of Valiant Shield 2026, according to releases by the Japanese military on Friday. Valiant Shield see the deployment of the containerized Typhon missile system in Japan and in contrast to last year’s deployment, where the system was flown out of Japan, it will be stored in Japan on a U.S. military base following completion of its deployment. The field training exercise Resolute Dragon 26 will run from Jun. 20-30 with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and the U.S. Marine
- Report to Congress on China’s Nuclear and Missile Proliferation
The following is the May 19, 2026, Congressional Research Service in focus report, China: Nuclear and Missile Proliferation. From the Report The U.S. government for decades has expressed concerns about China’s proliferation of nuclear- and missile-related technologies to other countries, with recent focus on the threat of Chinese acquisition of U.S.-origin nuclear technology. (See CRS In Focus IF11050, New U.S. Policy Regarding Nuclear Exports to China.) Official U.S. government sources indicate that the Chinese government has ended its direct involvement in the transfer of nuclear- and missile-related items, but China-based companies and individuals continue to export goods relevant to those
- Navy Selects 7 MUSV Designs to Enter Prototype Phase
Seven designs have been tapped by the Navy to develop medium unmanned surface vessel prototypes as part of the sea service’s foray into robotic systems, USNI News has learned. Out of about two dozen options submitted for the MUSV marketplace, the unspecified shipbuilders will develop vessels that will be tested against Navy requirements for the robotic craft, service spokesperson Capt. Ron Flanders said in a Friday statement to USNI News. “The Navy selected seven entrants in the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) marketplace to advance to the next phase – prototype evaluation,” Flanders said. “Selected industry partners must successfully complete
- Russian Crude Exports Increase as Strait of Hormuz Transits Remain Low
Russia is expanding its oil business while the traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is still slow, analysts said this week. Moscow’s crude oil exports have increased since March as the U.S. waived some sanctions on Russian crude in floating storage until June, Lloyd’s List editor-in-chief Richard Meade said Thursday during a weekly webinar. Russia exported an average of 3.7 million barrels per day of crude and condensates in March and April, Meade said. The price of Russian Urals crude is also drastically up – 67 percent – from March 18 to May 17 compared to the same period last
- USNI News Western Pacific Pulse: May 22, 2026
The following is a summary of major ship movements and exercises in the Western Pacific over the last week. Western Pacific The People’s Liberation Army Navy Liaoning Carrier Strike Group led by aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning (16) is in an unspecified part of the Western Pacific. The carrier strike group began a Western Pacific deployment on Tuesday, according to a PLAN announcement. “On May 19, the PLA Navy sent a carrier task group led by PLAN’s Liaoning to relevant waters of the Western Pacific to conduct training on such subjects as far-seas tactical flight, live firing, support and cover, and
- Report to Congress on U.S. Extended Deterrence and Regional Nuclear Capabilities
The following is the May 21, 2026, Congressional Research Service report, U.S. Extended Deterrence and Regional Nuclear Capabilities. From the report One of the stated goals of U.S. nuclear weapons policy has been to extend deterrence to over 30 U.S. “allies and partners” and assure these countries that the United States will come to their aid, including potentially by using U.S. nuclear weapons, if they are attacked. The 2010, 2018, and 2022 Nuclear Posture Reviews (NPRs), which are periodic executive branch assessments of U.S. nuclear policy, argued for strengthening extended deterrence and posited that it supported U.S. nuclear nonproliferation goals.
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