The Chinese have not only mastered the art of aerial refueling (DR, 9/19/05), they are now buying eight Russian Il-78M tankers, as well as 30 IL-76 heavy transport aircraft. With the Il-78, Chinese fighters can reach Andersen AFB, Guam, according to the International Assessment and Strategy Center.
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.