Hearing: U.S. Military Posture & National Security Challenges in the Greater Middle East & Africa

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on May 20, 2026, focusing on the U.S. military posture and national security challenges in the Greater Middle East and Africa, with testimony from Assistant Secretary of Defense Dan Zimmerman, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, and AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin Anderson. The hearing extensively discussed recent military operations against Iran, including Operation Epic Fury and Operation Midnight Hammer, which reportedly degraded Iran's ballistic missile, drone, and naval capabilities by over 85%. The committee examined the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports, described as an act of war, and its impact on the Strait of Hormuz and global commerce. Questions were raised about the strategic plan to reopen the Strait and end hostilities, with concerns about the war's cost, lack of clear exit strategy, and rising gas prices. AFRICOM's counterterrorism efforts in Africa, including a recent operation killing a key ISIS leader in Nigeria, were highlighted, alongside challenges posed by reduced U.S. military presence and growing influence of Russia and China on the continent. The committee also addressed issues of civilian harm, military readiness, partnership building, and the need for sustained investment in intelligence, surveillance, and expeditionary capabilities. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were detailed, but the discussion underscored the importance of foreign military sales and defense industrial base support to regional partners as part of burden-sharing efforts.