Will for Peace 2026

"Will for Peace 2026" was a week-long naval exercise held off the coast of South Africa from January 9-16, 2026. The drills involved the navies of China, Russia, Iran, and host nation South Africa, and were framed by South Africa as a routine maritime safety and interoperability operation essential for protecting maritime economic activities amidst rising global tensions. The exercises are newsworthy due to the inclusion of Iran, which has drawn criticism from the US and internal dissent within South Africa. The US is closely monitoring the drills, and South Africa has launched an inquiry into Iran's participation. While some analysts view the drills as a symbolic diplomatic statement signaling a shift in BRICS beyond economic cooperation, others consider them largely symbolic. India opted out of participating. The event highlights evolving geopolitical dynamics and potential shifts in the global order.