US Navy – Still no progress in the EP-3 standoff. Images in the Chinese press show the damage sustained by the EP-3; overhead imagery by SpaceImaging.com shows the EP-3 still parked on the runway.

• BBC: US ‘regret’ fails to move China
  

• Jane’s: USA and China on collision course over fate of EP-3
  

Taiwanese Navy – The US Navy has decided to recommend the sale of Kidd-class destroyers, submarines, and the Aegis weapons platform to Taiwan – but most probably only the sale of the Kidd’s will occur.

• Washington Post: Pentagon to Push Ship for Taiwan
• International Herald Tribune: U.S. Navy Study Backs Sale of Arms to Taiwan

Black Sea – Background – Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania have set up a joint naval force for humanitarian and environmental operations. The force is called Blackseafor and will be based in Istanbul.

• BBC: Black Sea countries form naval pact