The Strait of Hormuz continues to operate as the world’s most critical maritime chokepoint, but it remains under constant pressure from security threats and regional tensions. Roughly one-fifth of global oil flows through this narrow passage, making any disruption immediately felt across international markets.
HAITI — Erik Prince has moved beyond planning and into early operational activity in Haiti, following the previously reported agreement to deploy nearly 200 contractors to support anti-gang effort
Initial reports in 2025 outlined a deal between Haiti’s transitional government and Prince’s firm, Vectus Global, to deploy a multinational force of contractors aimed at reclaiming territory from heavily armed gangs. The agreement included both short-term security operations and a longer-term role in rebuilding government revenue systems.
IRAQ — The United States maintains a much smaller military presence in Iraq today compared to the height of operations during the Iraq War. Over the past several years, American forces have consolidated into a limited number of strategic locations as the mission transitioned from combat operations to advising, intelligence support, and regional security cooperation. Most remaining U.S. forces are concentrated in northern Iraq and around diplomatic facilities in Baghdad, where they continue to support Iraqi security forces and monitor extremist threats.
