U.S. to conduct multi-day military exercise in Middle East
The Hindu
The U.S. announces a multi-day military exercise in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran over protests.
The United States on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) announced a major multi-day Air Force exercise in the Middle East, as Washington and Tehran face off over Iran's deadly crackdown on anti-government demonstrations.
The announcement came a day after the U.S. military said the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had arrived in the Middle East, dramatically boosting American firepower in the region.
The exercise will “demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower across” the Middle East, the U.S. Air Force component of Central Command, which is responsible for American forces in the region, said in a statement.
No date or exact location for the exercise were released.
The protests in Iran started in late December, driven by economic grievances, but turned into a mass movement against the Islamic republic, with huge street demonstrations for several days from January 8.
A U.S.-based rights group said on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) it had confirmed the deaths of over 6,000 people in protests, adding that it was investigating over 17,000 more potential deaths.
Shorts News:Watch: Smoke billows near Dubai airport after drone attack
West Asia conflict disrupts pharma air routes, threatening cancer drug supplies and forcing companies to find alternative shipping methods.
Trump accuses Iran of weaponising AI for disinformation, citing misleading claims about military successes and public support rallies.
Myanmar's Parliament convenes under military control, following a controversial election that reinforces the Army's grip on power.
Trump urges allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz, but Japan and Australia refuse to send naval support amid rising tensions.
AI-created videos circulating on Elon Musk's X depict American soldiers captured by Iran, an Israeli city in ruins, and US embassies ablaze; a surge of lifelike deepfakes despite a policy crackdown to curb wartime disinformation.
Explore the implications of "no quarter" in warfare, its legal prohibitions, and recent controversial remarks by U.S. officials.
Iran-Israel war: Follow live updates from The HIndu on the West Asia conflict on Marh 16, 2026
Trump warns NATO's future is at risk if allies don't assist in opening the Strait of Hormuz amid rising oil prices.
Nilufer Koc critiques U.S. colonial mindset on Kurdish issues, emphasizing the need for Kurdish rights in Iran's future political landscape.
Taiwan reports a resurgence of Chinese military flights, with 26 aircraft detected near the island after a recent decline.
Israel's Foreign Minister dismisses reports of imminent Lebanon talks, reaffirming alignment with the U.S. in the Iran conflict.
Sri Lanka implements a QR code system to ration fuel sales amid global supply challenges, limiting weekly quotas for vehicles.