Most have ignored Trump's call to assist in the
protection of shipping in the Gulf, and with the possible exception of Great Britain and Australia, they have no appetite to take on Iran militarily.
According to a statement of the Ministry of Defense, the objective of the exercise is to develop operational capabilities and strengthen cooperation, coordination and exchange of experience between participating navies in Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Mauritania, Turkey, the United States, Canada and several European countries through training in the
protection of shipping and supply routes by strengthening surveillance and combating illegal acts, in particular arms and drug trafficking.
Besides, the security element and development of better ties with allied navies, the doctrine also envisages
protection of shipping and commercial interests and addressing issues like climate change and rise of sea level.
"The Syrian government has reaffirmed its commitment to implement the removal operations in a timely manner," Uzumcu said, adding that Syria now has all the equipment it needs to give up remaining chemicals, including armor for the
protection of shipping containers.
As a result, the mandate of foreign military forces remains limited solely to the
protection of shipping vessels.
At a strategic level, the company, which uses personnel with backgrounds in British and New Zealand special forces, advises on and provides specialists for the
protection of shipping, aviation, transportation hubs and for key sites such as power and industrial installations.
As such, the two main roles for surface combatants were boiled down to the Battle Force and Protection of Shipping missions.
In practice, the Ticonderoga cruisers and Arleigh Burke destroyers will take on the Battle Force mission, while Spruance destroyers will be rotated into the Protection of Shipping role as new-build Arleigh Burkes become operational and Perry frigates are retired from US service.