Punchbowl reports Senate Armed Services Committee chair Roger Wicker will meet later today with PENTAGON policy chief Elbridge Colby to discuss the PENTAGON’s European force-posture assessment and "other matters." The PENTAGON formally launched the assessment at the end of July.

MarineTraffic shows at least seven commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours: six entered the Persian Gulf (five cargo, one tanker) and one entered the Gulf of Oman (cargo). Over the same period at least 30 commercial vessels passed the Bab el‑Mandeb: 20 entered the Red Sea (13 cargo, seven tankers) and 10 entered the Gulf of Aden (eight cargo, two tankers). Iran and Oman are negotiating management of the Strait of Hormuz, which could establish agreed shipping lanes and protection measures for commercial traffic. Ongoing GPS interference continues to complicate navigation and transits in the region.

Customs data show China’s goods trade value reached CNY30.13 trillion in the first seven months, up 17.3% YoY. Exports were CNY17.44 trillion (+14% YoY) and imports CNY12.69 trillion (+22% YoY), implying a trade surplus of CNY4.75 trillion.