On October 28, about 47,000 troops of the Japan Self-Defense Force and more than 10,000 US servicemen united to launch the Keen Sword 19 military exercise – the biggest drill of its kind since the biennial joint maneuvers in 1986. The US forces participating in the drill include vessles from of the Seventh Fleet, as well as the Submarine Group 7 – both of which are based in Japan’s Yokosuka. Japan employed roughly a fifth of its of its military. Two Canadian warships are also taking part in the drills. “Keen Sword will give U.S. and Japanese forces an opportunity  to practice critical air, maritime and amphibious capabilities essential for Japan’s defense and for regional security.  Just as important,  the exercise is a visible demonstration of the strength and durability of the U.S-Japan Alliance and our shared pursuit of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region. This year’s exercise will feature  dozens of U.S. and Japanese ships, hundreds of aircraft and around 57,000 personnel f

In September, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Al Thani donated the Boeing 747-8 plane, worth around $500 million, to the Turkish state, particularly President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Commenting on this situation, Erdogan stated that Turkey was interested in buying the jet. “When the Qatar emir was informed of this he gave it as a gift, saying ‘I won’t take money from Turkey. I will give this plane as a gift,'” he stated adding that “the plane is not mine, it is the Turkish Republic’s”. The Qatari decision is obviously linked to the Turkish backing of the Arab state in its conflict with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain. Previously, these states severed all diplomatic and trade links with the gas-rich state over its alleged close ties to Iran and its alleged support for terrorists – a charge it denies. In August, Qatar’s emir approved a package of economic projects, investments and deposits worth $15bn to support Turkey’s economy and currency. Click to