China, Russia, and Iran have commenced a week-long joint naval exercise, dubbed 'WILL FOR PEACE 2026', in South African waters. Described by South Africa as a BRICS Plus operation to ensure maritime safety and interoperability, the drills involve navies from the expanded bloc, which includes Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and the UAE. While South Africa states the exercise is non-political and aims to improve capabilities, the pro-Western Democratic Alliance criticizes it as contradicting neutrality and making South Africa a pawn. The exercises occur amid heightened U.S.-BRICS tensions, with President Trump having previously accused BRICS nations of pursuing 'anti-American' policies.