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At a Glance The Maritime Logic of the 2026 National Defense Strategy The 2026 National Defense Strategy defines how U.S. defense priorities translate into action, shaping where attention, resources, and enforcement are applied. Across the document, the strategy prioritizes defending the U.S. homeland, securing economic access, and protecting critical terrain as enduring priorities rather than…

The Week in Focus U.S. Maritime Enforcement Expands Beyond Venezuela  U.S. actions over recent weeks indicate a clear transition from sanctions monitoring to physical maritime enforcement. Interdictions linked to Venezuela-related oil sanctions have demonstrated that distance from the original theater does not insulate vessels from enforcement action. The enforcement model emphasizes ambiguity rather than declaration….

At a Glance The Surge in False Flags False flagging has shifted from a niche compliance issue to a systemic risk in global shipping. As sanctions enforcement expands, an increasing number of vessels are operating without legitimate nationality while continuing to trade internationally. Rather than sailing under recognized flag states, many tankers now claim registration…

At a Glance Strikes, Seizures, and Sanctions: Maritime Risk Heats Up in 2026 In early 2026, maritime enforcement crossed a threshold. Under Operation Southern Spear, the U.S. has launched a sustained campaign of global interdictions, extending far beyond Venezuela’s proximate waters and targeting tankers for deceptive shipping practices and sanctions evasion. U.S. forces recently seized…