US Navy – The US takes out a Silkworm antiship missile launcher in Iraq.

• The Times: US hits anti-ship missile launcher in Iraq

Background – Caspian Sea – An overview of the oil rights issues in the Caspian Sea, which has been the scene of naval posturing over the last year.

• The Economist: Fields of dreams

Background – American Empire – Another look at the benign nature of the American Empire.

• The Times: The American empire, a fine old British tradition