Middle East Archives

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), while participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, fires the first naval strike missile from a U.S. destroyer July 18. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)

Dollars and Sense

Hormuz Oil Crisis: 1,000,000,000 Barrels Have Vanished From the Global Market Due To Iran War — Pakistan Has Only 20 Days of Supply Left

Up to 1 billion barrels of oil supply have been removed from the global market. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed for...

Brent M. EastwoodMay 11, 2026

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 1, 2024) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26) comes alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) for a fueling-at-sea, Oct. 1, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group 9, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides he realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations – from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Richard Tinker)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran’s Demand: War Reparations From the U.S. to End the Conflict — Trump Called It ‘Totally Unacceptable’ Ahead of His Xi Meeting

President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal to end the U.S.-Iran war. Tehran’s demands include U.S. war reparations, full Iranian sovereignty over the Strait...

Brent M. EastwoodMay 11, 2026

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (Feb. 23, 2026) The world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) arrives at the NATO Marathi Pier Complex in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, during a scheduled port visit on Feb. 23, 2026. NSA Souda Bay is an operational ashore installation that enables and supports U.S., Allied, Coalition, and partner nation forces to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Hannah Donahue)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

‘Beaten-Up Supercarrier’: Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Could Be Out of Action for 2 Years

“This is one truly beaten-up supercarrier. My gut tells me that the USS Gerald R. Ford is in worse shape than we know in...

Harry J. KazianisMay 10, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Before Operation Epic Fury Was the 1988 Operation Praying Mantis — The U.S. Navy Sank 9 Iranian Vessels in a Single Day

Decades before Operation Epic Fury, the United States and Iran fought a one-day naval battle in the Persian Gulf that ended with nine Iranian...

Isaac SeitzMay 8, 2026

The Treaty

‘The Market Hasn’t Seen the Full Impact’: The Iran War Could Create a Historic Oil Crisis

Three U.S. destroyers came under Iranian missile, drone, and small-craft attack Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz — day 69 of a war the...

Reuben JohnsonMay 8, 2026

Dollars and Sense

The Strait of Hormuz Just Stopped 20% of the World’s Oil — but the Strait of Malacca Could Stop One-Third of Global GDP

Iran has functionally closed the Strait of Hormuz during Operation Epic Fury, halting roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply and triggering an immediate...

Harrison KassMay 8, 2026

Israel's F-35I Adir Fighter. Image credit: Creative Commons

Dollars and Sense

Israel Just Approved a $119,000,000,000 Billion Military Buildup — and Doubled Its F-35I and F-15IA Fighter Fleets

Israel just doubled its F-35I Adir stealth fighter fleet to 100 and ordered 50 Boeing F-15IA strike fighters — part of a $119 billion...

Jack BuckbyMay 7, 2026

A 96th Test Wing F-15E Strike Eagle flies during a test mission May 22, 2025 over Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The 96 TW and the 53rd Wing teamed up to test AGR-20F Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II laser-guided rockets on the F-15E in May in an effort to get the capability to the warfighter as quickly as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Just Exposed the Brutal U.S. Air Force Tanker Crisis No One Wants to Discuss

Iran just exposed one of the U.S. military’s most dangerous and overlooked vulnerabilities: five U.S. Air Force refueling tankers were struck while parked in...

Caleb LarsonMay 6, 2026

A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler prepares to refuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 29, 2025. The Growlers are assigned to the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Wants to Make Sure it Can ‘Close’ the Strait of Hormuz Anytime It Wants

“Project Freedom” lasted 48 hours. The U.S. military launched escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz on May 5, sank six Iranian small boats,...

Andrew LathamMay 6, 2026

National Security Journal

All posts tagged "Middle East"

Dollars and Sense

Hormuz Oil Crisis: 1,000,000,000 Barrels Have Vanished From the Global Market Due To Iran War — Pakistan Has Only 20 Days of Supply Left

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran’s Demand: War Reparations From the U.S. to End the Conflict — Trump Called It ‘Totally Unacceptable’ Ahead of His Xi Meeting

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

‘Beaten-Up Supercarrier’: Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Could Be Out of Action for 2 Years

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Before Operation Epic Fury Was the 1988 Operation Praying Mantis — The U.S. Navy Sank 9 Iranian Vessels in a Single Day

The Treaty

‘The Market Hasn’t Seen the Full Impact’: The Iran War Could Create a Historic Oil Crisis

Dollars and Sense

The Strait of Hormuz Just Stopped 20% of the World’s Oil — but the Strait of Malacca Could Stop One-Third of Global GDP

Dollars and Sense

Israel Just Approved a $119,000,000,000 Billion Military Buildup — and Doubled Its F-35I and F-15IA Fighter Fleets

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Just Exposed the Brutal U.S. Air Force Tanker Crisis No One Wants to Discuss

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Wants to Make Sure it Can ‘Close’ the Strait of Hormuz Anytime It Wants

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