Warships from China, Russia, and Iran have commenced a week-long naval exercise, dubbed 'WILL FOR PEACE 2026', in South African waters off Cape Town. Organized under the expanded BRICS Plus bloc, the drills aim to enhance maritime safety and anti-piracy capabilities. The exercises occur amid heightened global geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning U.S. actions in Venezuela. While South Africa emphasizes the non-political nature of the drills, some domestic opposition parties criticize the move as contradicting neutrality and aligning with 'rogue states'.