On multiple occasions, thousands of Chinese fishing boats have massed in geometric formations in the East China Sea, in coordinated actions that experts believe are part of Beijing’s preparations for a potential regional crisis or conflict. These formations, observed on Christmas Day and in early January, involved vessels holding positions for extended periods in adverse weather, far exceeding typical fishing behavior. Experts widely agree that these maneuvers were not for fishing, but rather a demonstration of China’s ability to marshal a large civilian fleet for potential military operations, such as a blockade or invasion of Taiwan, or a crisis with Japan. The scale and coordination of these events suggest a “state operation,” potentially involving China’s maritime militia, designed to test and display capabilities for projecting power in the region.
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The US military has recently announced a significant claim: they have sunk over 30 Iranian ships. This assertion, however, prompts a deeper examination of what constitutes an Iranian “ship” and the broader implications of such naval actions. It’s worth noting that Iran’s actual navy, in the traditional sense of large warships, is quite limited. Reports suggest they possess only about 11 such vessels, all of which were reportedly neutralized rapidly, save for one torpedoed incident near India. This implies that the vast majority of the over 30 sunk vessels are likely far smaller craft, perhaps even patrol boats, potentially less substantial than those encountered in other maritime incidents.… Continue reading
On December 22, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the Golden Fleet initiative at Mar-a-Lago, revealing plans for a new “Trump-class” battleship. The President proclaimed the ships would be the most powerful ever built and help maintain U.S. military supremacy. However, experts quickly pointed out the obsolescence of battleships, which have been eclipsed by modern naval technology. Defense analysts like Mark Cancian believe the project is unrealistic due to the costs, design timeline, and a misalignment with current naval strategies.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood