The U.S. is ramping up air and naval firepower in the Middle East as high-stakes talks with Iran kick off in Geneva.

Taiwan, for its part, would contribute "elite troops," and Washington might assign personnel in Guam or elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region to help.

The global military balance has shifted only slightly in the latest 2026 Global Firepower rankings, with familiar powers holding their ground and smaller adjustments reshaping the middle of the table.

South Africa is ranked 40th globally in terms of military strength, dropping seven spots from 2024 and remaining unchanged ...