Japan Scraps Most Curbs on Exporting Weapons in Historic Shift Japan removed most of its restrictions on weapons exports, allowing the nation to sell arms overseas for the first time since World War II in a move aimed at strengthening its defense industrial base.

Japan Scraps Most Curbs on Exporting Weapons in Historic Shift www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Capacity MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY SUBJECT:       Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as

Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Capacity www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April, 20 2026 - USNI News These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of April 20, 2026, based on Navy and public data. In cases in ...

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April, 20 2026 news.usni.org/2026/04/20/u...

Seized Iranian ship likely carrying equipment deemed dual-use by US, sources say The Iranian-flagged container ship Touska, which was boarded ​and seized by U.S. forces on Sunday, is likely to have what Washington deems dual-use items that could be used by ‌the military onboard, m...

Seized Iranian ship likely carrying equipment deemed dual-use by US, sources say
www.reuters.com/world/middle...

Russia Sees China Buying Gas at Discount to Europe Through 2029 Russia’s government expects to sell natural gas for several years to China at about a third less than the price paid by Europe, underscoring how a pivot to Asia hasn’t fully offset the loss of most of...

Russia Sees China Buying Gas at Discount to Europe Through 2029 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Hungary must arrest Netanyahu if he visits, Magyar says Israeli PM Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court, is due to visit Hungary later this year.

Hungary must arrest Netanyahu if he visits, Magyar says www.politico.eu/article/pete...

Can Saudi Arabia Keep Hedging? The Iran war has altered the Gulf’s balance of power—and the kingdom’s calculus.

Can Saudi Arabia Keep Hedging? www.foreignaffairs.com/middle-east/...

Gulf poised to move closer to China after the war - Asia Times The Iran war has delivered a profound and systemic shock to the Gulf, fundamentally challenging two assumptions that have underpinned regional stability

Gulf poised to move closer to China after the war asiatimes.com/2026/04/gulf...

China Deploys Warships for Pacific Drills as Japan Tensions Rise China has sent a group of warships to hold drills in the western Pacific Ocean, a move that comes as Japan for the first time joins massive exercises with the US and the Philippines, highlighting grow...

China Warships to Hold Pacific Drills as Japan Tensions Rise www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

President Xi Jinping Speaks with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the Phone www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xw/z...

U.S. Forces Disable Vessel Attempting to Enter Iranian Port, Violate Blockade
www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-...

China is the Iran war's biggest winner. It never fired a shot It patiently exploited America's distraction and discord.

Axios says…

Behind the Curtain: China wins by watching www.axios.com/2026/04/19/c...

Lessons from the China shock 2.0 The response should be better industrial strategies, not knee-jerk protectionism

Lessons from the China shock 2.0 www.ft.com/content/d62f...

For Iran, Flexing Control Over Waterway Is New Deterrent

Seven weeks in and many still struggle to call the Strait a war zone…

“A central goal of the U.S.-led military campaign in Iran is now reopening the strait, which was open when the war began.”

For Iran, Flexing Control Over Waterway Is New Deterrent www.nytimes.com/2026/04/18/u...

Japan seals largest-ever defense contract with frigate sale to Australia Tokyo will supply Australia with the first three of a planned fleet of 11 new warships in a deal that highlights the progress of Japan's defense industry over the past decade.

Japan seals largest-ever defense contract with frigate sale to Australia
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Exclusive: Iran negotiators, citing possible Israeli attack, got Pakistan escort home from peace talks Pakistan's air force escorted Iranian negotiators home from inconclusive peace talks ​with the U.S. last weekend, launching a major operation after the Iranians said Israel might seek to kill them, th...

Iran negotiators, citing possible Israeli attack, got Pakistan escort home from peace talks www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

SBP says govt has paid $2bn to UAE Abu Dhabi had sought the immediate return of a $3.5bn loan; the funds were part of external financing support extended in 2019 to help stabilise Pakistan’s balance of payments.

[The State Bank of Pakistan] says govt has paid $2bn to UAE www.dawn.com/news/1993003...

Chas Freeman: Diplomacy Fails - Strait of Hormuz Shut Down Again YouTube video by Glenn Diesen

Chas Freeman: Diplomacy Fails - Strait of Hormuz Shut Down Again www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx-Q...

Hormuz Strait Remains under Iran’s Tight Control: Military Spokesman - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is under strict control of the Iranian Armed Forces and will remain in its previous...

Hormuz Strait Remains under Iran’s Tight Control: Military Spokesman www.tasnimnews.ir/en/news/2026...

Three Scenarios for the Gulf States After the Iran War One is hopeful. One is realistic. One is cautionary.

Three Scenarios for the Gulf States After the Iran War carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...

Issuance of Russia-related General License ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actio...

USS Gerald Ford returns to Mideast as 3rd American aircraft carrier heads to region * * *

USS Gerald Ford returns to Mideast as 3rd American aircraft carrier heads to region www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...

U.S. and Philippines Plan the Launch of Historic 4,000 Acre Economic Security Zone to Shore Up Supply Chains - United States Department of State Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg today announced the United States’ and the Philippines’ plans to establish a 4,000-acre industrial hub to secure inputs vital to American an...

U.S. and Philippines Plan the Launch of Historic 4,000 Acre Economic Security Zone to Shore Up Supply Chains www.state.gov/releases/off...

The United States and The Philippines Launch Plans for 4,000-Acre Economic Security Zone to Shore Up Supply Chains: First AI-Native Industrial Acceleration Hub Under Pax Silica - United States Departm... On April 16, the Philippines joined the Pax Silica initiative, launched by the United States and thirteen other nations, hailing a growing geopolitical consensus that economic security is national sec...

The United States and The Philippines Launch Plans for 4,000-Acre Economic Security Zone to Shore Up Supply Chains: First AI-Native Industrial Acceleration Hub Under Pax Silica www.state.gov/releases/off...

Finland Joins Pax Silica Initiative - United States Department of State On April 16, Finland joined the Pax Silica Initiative, hailing a growing geopolitical consensus that economic security is national security and national security is economic security.  Finland brings ...

Finland Joins Pax Silica Initiative www.state.gov/releases/off...

Iran appears to be using some of Trump's tactics against Trump. Such as making grandiose & vague statements declaring a major achievement, even though it isn't fully being implemented or agreed upon. Such as "the Straits are fully open" vs "Iran has agreed to end enrichment"...

Amb. Chas Freeman: Israel’s Strategy Just COLLAPSED – Trump Steps In YouTube video by Dialogue Works

Amb. Chas Freeman: Israel’s Strategy Just COLLAPSED – Trump Steps In www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qds...

Xi Signals Reassessment of Senior Generals - Jamestown Executive Summary: On April 8, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) convened the first session of a training program for all senior officers (第一期全军高级干部培训班). General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered a spee...

Xi Signals Reassessment of Senior Generals jamestown.org/xi-signals-r...

Why “Mowing the Grass” Won’t Work in Iran If the United States decides to pursue the strategy of "mowing the grass" in Iran, it could lay the foundation for prolonged regional instability and global disruption.

Eight months between the Twelve Day War (June 13–24, 2025) and the current war (that began on February 28, 2026)...

Why “Mowing the Grass” Won’t Work in Iran www.csis.org/analysis/why...