U.S. troops sit atop a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during a counter-landing live fire exercise as part of the annual Balikatan joint military drills in Laoag, Philippines, on May 4, 2026. The expanded exercises, now involving more than 17,000 troops from multiple allied nations, come amid rising tensions in the South China Sea and as Washington faces overlapping security demands due to the ongoing war with Iran. This year marks the first time Japanese Self-Defense Forces have taken part in combat drills on Philippine soil, signaling a significant shift in Japan’s post-war defense posture and deepening regional security ties. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images
Day in Photos: Military Drills, 2026 Met Gala, and Meat Industry Investigation
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