SOUTHCOM has confirmed kinetic activity over the past weekend. On April 26, 2026, Joint Task Force Southern Spear executed a lethal kinetic strike against a vessel identified as being operated by “Designated Terrorist Organizations”. The action took place in the Eastern Pacific, where intelligence indicated the vessel was utilizing “known” narco-trafficking routes. Reports confirm that three individuals were killed during the engagement, with no U.S. forces harmed. This follows a similar strike confirmed on April 25, 2026, which resulted in two confirmed kills.

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I. Global Military Expenditure

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released new data today indicating that global military expenditure rose to $2887 billion in 2025. This marks the 11th consecutive year of growth. While U.S. spending experienced a decline of 7.5% in 2025—attributed primarily to the absence of new, approved financial assistance for Ukraine—spending in Europe increased by 14% and Asia and Oceania by 8.1%. Projections suggest that U.S. spending is expected to rebound in 2026 as investments in nuclear and conventional capabilities are prioritized to maintain hemispheric dominance and deter regional competitors.

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II. IDF Internal Briefing

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir addressed senior officers today, emphasizing concerns regarding the erosion of discipline within military ranks during the current multi-front conflict. Gen. Zamir explicitly addressed several incidents involving soldiers, framing these behaviors as a departure from the army’s foundational values and a form of internal rebellion that requires immediate correction.

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III. Strait of Hormuz Standoff

Diplomatic backchannels are currently hyper-active following a proposal from Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Regional officials confirmed today that Iran has signaled a willingness to end its blockade in exchange for the lifting of U.S. sanctions and a formal conclusion to the ongoing hostilities that began on February 28. This offer, relayed through Pakistani intermediaries, remains under review, though initial assessments from the administration suggest a high degree of skepticism. The standoff continues to hold global energy markets in a state of flux, as the U.S. remains committed to its maritime interdiction campaign designed to throttle Iranian revenue streams.