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As we first reported last week, in an article that was met with much original skepticism, the Pentagon has now confirmed that a fleet of 12 warships has passed the Suez Canal, and is now likely awaiting orders to support the escalation in the Persian Gulf. The attached image from Stratfor shows the latest positioning of US aircraft carrier groups as of June 23: the USS Harry Truman (CVN-75) is now right next to USS Eisenhower (CVN 69), both of which areAs for the catalyst the two carriers may be anticipating, we provide the following update from the Gulf Daily...

China to send officers to watch US military drill in Guam, FM spokesman Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Thursday that China has accepted the offer to observe the US military exercise codenamed "Valiant Shield 2006" in Guam. The offer was given by William Fallon, Commander of US Forces in Pacific, during his visit to China in May, the first invitation of this kind extended by the United States. Liu also briefed on the eighth annual round of Sino-US defense consultations held in Beijing on June 8. The Chinese side believes that cooperation between the two armies is...

Wed 13 Apr 2005 9:47am (UK) Naval Security Reviewed over Ship Intruder By Ben Mitchell, PA A review of security at a major UK naval base has been carried out after an alleged intruder was found on board a visiting US aircraft carrier, the Royal Navy said today. The alleged trespasser was discovered on board the USS Harry S Truman, anchored off Stokes Bay, Gosport, Hants, on Saturday night during a week-long visit to Portsmouth Naval Base. A navy spokesman said the man had allegedly passed through both Royal Navy security and US Navy security to get on board passenger...