Indonesia continues to manage its “free and active” foreign policy while building regional security partnerships. As these relationships deepen, their operationalisation may place additional pressure on Indonesia’s strategic autonomy.

Black Sea economic warfare continues, with Russia indicating an expansion of operations against Ukraine's economic sectors after a failed truce proposal. Ukraine’s strikes targeting Russian Black Sea terminals have reduced Russia’s oil exports, while Russia’s attacks against Ukraine’s ports and agriculture-linked vessels escalated significantly in July.

The redeployment of the USS George Washington highlights the challenges the U.S. faces in maintaining a persistent presence of high-end capabilities across multiple theatres. Regional partners may also view the redeployment as evidence of why greater defence burden sharing is required.

Saudi Arabia is broadening its military partnerships through overlapping regional security guarantees. The inclusion of Pakistan, a nuclear power, and Turkey, a NATO member, creates strategic ambiguity as to how the mutual defence will be operationalised