Analyzes Indian Ocean security; forthcoming book (see URL); US alliances & partnerships. @EWCinWashington. Personal views. https://nitter.cf/t.co/s6NFZ02ApO
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Joined November 2008
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My thoughts on WSJ story: 1) Both Iran & US are targeting outside the CENTCOM AOR (INDOPACOM); 2) It's a rare moment in the era of the "Indo-Pacific" region when the Indian Ocean theater has more hotspots than the Pacific theater; 3) Watching for IO Zone of Peace discourse again
New: Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a U.S.-U.K. base in the Indian Ocean, per officials. Neither hit the base, but the move marks a significant attempt by Iran to reach far beyond the Middle East to threaten the U.S. wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-us…
US Africa Command (AFRICOM) leadership discussing Indian Ocean security & US security ties in the region. AFRICOM has traditionally been focused on the land domain, so it's useful to hear more of a maritime take on AFRICOM's area of (US mil) responsibility in the Indian Ocean.
Journalists covering African affairs: Join @USAfricaCommand's LTG John Brennan for a digital press briefing on his recent visit to Madagascar 🇲🇬 and Mozambique 🇲🇿. Hear about maritime security, regional threats, and U.S. security partnerships in the Indian Ocean.
RSVP: state.gov/november-10-digita…
Busy time for exercises in Bay of Bengal:
-BIMSTEC marsec exercise w/ships from Sri Lanka & Myanmar at India's Andaman & Nicobar Command in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair)
-US-India TTX for Tiger Triumph at Visakhapatnam
-US-Bangladesh navy, air force, & army/coast guard exercises
The first BIMSTEC maritime security exercise in the Bay of Bengal, with delegations from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar visiting India's Andaman and Nicobar Command in Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair)
Advancing Maritime Partnerships Across the Bay of Bengal! 🇧🇩 🇧🇹 🇮🇳 🇲🇲 🇳🇵 🇱🇰 🇹🇭 ⚓🤝
Reinforcing regional maritime collaboration during the ongoing BIMSTEC exercise, the head of delegations called on VAdm Vineet McCarty, AVSM, CINCAN. These included the Secretary General, His Excellency Indra Mani Pandey, Air Vice Marshal MDR Prasad (Retd.), Director (Monitoring and Evaluation), Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation (Sri Lanka), RAdm Kyaw Kyaw Htoo, Commander, Central Naval Command, Myanmar Navy (Myanmar), and Capt Mohammad Monzurul Islam, Commanding Officer, BNS Prottoy, (Bangladesh).
These engagements reaffirmed a collective resolve to advance maritime security, enhance interoperability and strengthen mutual trust across the Bay of Bengal. Highlighting deep-rooted regional partnerships, such diplomatic engagements lay the vital groundwork for a cohesive, secure and prosperous maritime future.
#MAHASAGAR #BIMSTECSecretariat #IndianNavy #MEA @BDMOFA @MFABhutan @MEAIndia @MOFA_Myanmar @MofaNepal @MFA_SriLanka @MFAThai
#BIMSTECMaritimeExercise #RegionalCooperation #MaritimeSecurity #BIMSTEC #BridgesOfFriendship #BayOfBengal #StrategicPartnership
US-Bangladesh defense cooperation: Following up on US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Steve Koehler's visit to Bangladesh in August, the CARAT Bangladesh naval exercise begins in Chattogram. Bangladesh was the first South Asian country to join the US CARAT exercise series in 2011
The US Navy mine countermeasures ship USS Warrior (MCM-10) arrived in Chattogram on Sunday to take part in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh 2026 with the Bangladesh Navy.
#USNavy #BangladeshNavy #Chattogram #newagebd
newagebd.net/post/foreign-af…
Quad joint statement reiterates condolences from last month's statement about flooding in Nepal, but adds line about "India's leading role as the first responder..." nitter.cf/nilanthis/status/20996…
After political instability in the past two years, Bangladesh and Nepal will remain LDCs (Least Developed Countries) through 2029 due to the UN resolution. Reposting my June piece for @EWCinWashington about US relations with Nepal and Bangladesh.
#SmallerSouthAsian countries
My new piece for @EWCinWashington on US relations with Bangladesh and Nepal under new governments. We've seen early and active US diplomacy, and there are opportunities for economic and defense cooperation going forward.
#SmallerSouthAsian countries
eastwestcenter.org/publicati…
Strong US-Nepal security cooperation continues on disaster management: "The United States will provide Nepal with more than $150 million worth of American-made helicopters, drones and riverboats to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities,"
US to provide Nepal with over $150 million in disaster response equipment | The Annapurna Express theannapurnaexpress.com/stor…
Nilanthi Samaranayake retweeted
@USARPAC and the @BDArmyOfficial were joined by the @OregonGuard for the 10th Land Forces Talks in Dhaka. The discussion focused on expanding joint training and deepening military cooperation, advancing a shared commitment to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific.
Milestone for Maldives' big port project at Thilafushi, with transition from Malé's commercial harbor. To be finalized next year.
Today marks a significant milestone for Maldives Ports Limited as we begin migrating operations from Malé Commercial Harbour to the Thilafushi.
As a first step, we have commenced handling of FCL containers cleared by sea transport at Thilafushi Cargo Terminal (TCT), where unstripped containers are loaded directly onto vessels.
We will be expanding services in the near future to include cargo stripped from containers.
Full migration is expected to be completed by November 11, 2027.
#mpl #maldivesportslimited #portoftomorrow #portrelocationproject #mplhidhumathugaa
Active US Indian Ocean policy in the past 2 yrs, but this is framed as being about the Pacific: USS Colorado will be the first submarine at SRF-West in Australia for AUKUS in 2027--"a decisive step in strengthening collective deterrence in the Pacific."
war.gov/News/Releases/Releas…
Second visit to Colombo this year by littoral combat ship USS Canberra. Follows recent US assistance to modernize Colombo Port's operations through a digitizing project.
Sri Lanka's medical evacuation of Iranian sailors: "'We rescued 40 sailors, provided them with medical treatment and repatriated them this morning,' the Minister told Daily Mirror, referring to Saturday's operation. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the sailors were aboard merchant vessels located approximately 24 nautical miles off Galle when distress calls were received over their medical conditions."
Sri Lanka repatriates 40 Iranian sailors after humanitarian rescue off Galle
Read more 👉 dailymirror.lk/breaking_news…
The Pacific priority: "The United States is a Pacific nation. More than 1.9 million American citizens and nationals live in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and approximately 53 million Americans live along the western seaboard, from California to Alaska. Our commitment to the security of the Pacific Islands is steadfast and enduring, and it is a key pillar of our America First Foreign Policy. When the Pacific Islands are secure, the American homeland is safer."
When the Pacific Islands are secure, the American homeland is safer. state.gov/releases/office-of…
If Bangladesh has a submarine cable cut or accident @NewAgeBDcom:
"Hakim: The backup is effectively zero. If the existing submarine cable infrastructure suffers a major disruption, Bangladesh could become almost completely dependent on India." newagebd.net/post/telecom/31…
Iranian tankers continue to be a problem for Sri Lanka.
23 OCT 2026
@CopernicusCMS #Sentinel2 🛰️📷
8 🇮🇷-flagged tankers spotted in imagery today loitering near Sri Lanka
20 🇮🇷 tankers have been loitering in international waters near Sri Lanka after passing their cargo of 🇮🇷🛢️by Ship-to-Ship (StS) transfer over in the Malaysian EOPL anchorage.
They have been sitting here for months. Today some maneuvered back down to vicinity of Galle, maybe for logistics support from ashore?
The tankers have been here between 60 - 100 days.
--
More details at @UANI Iran Shipping Update
unitedagainstnucleariran.com…
--
@JemimaShelley @TankerTrackers @AsiriFernandoLK @JonathanEmont @nilanthis @brentdsadler @captsingh @tom_bike @mercoglianos
Pleased to discuss the Smaller South Asian countries--the subject of my forthcoming book (Bloomsbury Academic)--and their relations with the US for the DC Asia Policy Network at @ORFAmerica.
Yesterday, in partnership with the DC Asia Policy Network, we hosted @RHFontaine, @nilanthis, and Gregory Poling of @SoutheastAsiaDC for a discussion on the changing nature of U.S.–#IndoPacific partnerships.
Thanks to everyone who joined us!
"According to the release, the home port shift is part of the Navy’s 'strategic dispersal of ships,' ...Naval Base Kitsap is the Navy’s third-largest Fleet Concentration Area and its most complex multi-mission installation, according to its website. The Lincoln will join its fellow Nimitz-class carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, in Kitsap."
The USS Abraham Lincoln is shifting its home port from San Diego to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington, according to a recent service announcement. navytimes.com/news/your-navy…
Great discussion of Bhutan by @sarinatheys using the lens of constructivism: e-ir.org/p/introducing-const…
US defense cooperation with Mauritius, as well as Seychelles, through the New Mexico National Guard under the State Partnership Program.
(1/4)
The @NMNationalGuard recently touched down in Mauritius and Seychelles for an intensive, multi-day security cooperation exchange under the #SPP
The joint delegation focused on building trust, enhancing disaster response, and fostering regional stability. 🧵
