-
The US has conducted at least 19 military strikes against vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, claiming they are drug trafficking narco-terrorists. The campaign, justified by the US as a conflict with drug cartels, faces widespread legal and regional opposition, with critics calling the strikes illegal extrajudicial killings.
-
President Donald Trump attended an NFL game in Maryland where he was seen in the stands and on broadcast. During the game, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown performed the 'Trump Dance' after a touchdown, which Trump shared on social media. The event coincided with discussions about naming the Washington Commanders' new stadium after Trump amid ongoing stadium development plans.
-
On November 10, 2025, Thailand suspended a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Cambodia after a landmine explosion injured Thai soldiers along their disputed border. Thailand accuses Cambodia of laying new mines, a charge Cambodia denies. The suspension halts prisoner releases and arms removal, casting doubt on the fragile peace brokered last month amid ongoing border tensions.
-
On November 10, 2025, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House, the first Syrian leader to do so since independence. The meeting with President Donald Trump focused on lifting sanctions, Syria’s integration into a US-led coalition against ISIS, and a potential security pact involving Israel. The US suspended Caesar Act sanctions for six months, signaling a shift in regional alliances and Syria’s international rehabilitation.
-
The USS Gerald R. Ford and other warships arrived in Latin America as part of a US military build-up, claiming to target drug trafficking but seen by many as a pressure tactic against Venezuela's Maduro. Since September, US strikes have killed at least 80 people in suspected drug operations.
-
South Korea has received U.S. approval to develop nuclear-powered attack submarines as part of a broader security and trade deal. The agreement includes U.S. support for Seoul's nuclear industry expansion and significant bilateral investments, with construction plans still under discussion and details to be finalized by January 2029.
-
The US announced Operation Southern Spear, a military effort targeting narco-terrorists in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The move follows increased US naval presence and potential land strikes in Venezuela, amid regional tensions and concerns over drug trafficking and regime change efforts. Details remain limited.
-
The US reaffirmed plans to sell up to 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia amid regional tensions and concerns over technology security. The deal, announced during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington, raises questions about regional military balance and Israel's qualitative military edge.
-
FEMA's acting administrator, David Richardson, resigned after six months amid criticism over disaster response and agency management. The move follows ongoing debates about FEMA's future, including potential reforms and leadership changes, with the agency's role under scrutiny during a busy hurricane season.
-
The US has officially designated the so-called Cartel de los Soles, linked to Venezuela's military and accused of drug trafficking, as a foreign terrorist organization. The move escalates US pressure on Maduro amid military buildups and potential talks, though Venezuela denies the allegations. The designation could enable further sanctions and military options.
-
Dan Driscoll, Army Secretary and close Vance ally, has taken a leading role in recent Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations, traveling to Kyiv, Geneva, and Abu Dhabi to push a revised peace framework. His efforts mark a significant shift in U.S. diplomatic engagement on the conflict, with high-level meetings and progress reported.
-
The US has issued a warning about risks to civil aircraft over Venezuela amid increased military activity and interference with navigation systems. This follows a significant US military deployment, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, and reports of potential plans for military action against Nicolás Maduro's government.
-
As of early December 2025, the US has intensified military pressure on Venezuela, conducting over 20 strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels, killing at least 83 people. President Trump announced plans to extend operations from sea to land while maintaining openness to dialogue with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The US military buildup in the Caribbean includes an aircraft carrier group and thousands of troops amid accusations of regime change motives.
-
Gunmen abducted 303 children and 12 teachers from St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria. Some children escaped, but 253 remain in captivity. The attacks follow recent similar incidents, highlighting ongoing insecurity and mass abductions by armed groups in Nigeria's northern regions.
-
Gen. Dan Caine visited Puerto Rico and a Navy ship amid US military buildup in the Caribbean. The US is increasing pressure on Venezuela through naval operations, designations of criminal groups as terrorists, and potential military options, as Trump considers further actions against Maduro.
-
The Pentagon is investigating Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona after a video he appeared in urged troops to refuse illegal orders. The move follows inflammatory comments from President Trump, who called lawmakers traitors and threatened legal action. Kelly, a retired Navy captain and astronaut, defends his actions amid rising political tensions.
-
Since early September, the US has conducted at least 21 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing over 87 people. Admiral Holsey, who led the Southern Command, retired early amid tensions over the strikes and US plans for possible land operations. The US also designated the Venezuelan 'Cartel de los Soles' as a terrorist organization, though Venezuela denies the allegations.
-
President Trump pardoned turkeys Waddle and Gobble during a Thanksgiving event, but the ceremony was marked by political insults, jokes about crime, and attacks on Illinois Governor Pritzker. Trump claimed Biden's pardons were invalid and criticized Chicago's crime, continuing his combative tone.
-
Six Democratic lawmakers, all military veterans, are under FBI investigation following a video criticizing the Trump administration. The Pentagon has threatened to recall Senator Mark Kelly to face military charges for alleged sedition, prompting strong condemnations from Democrats who see the move as political intimidation.
-
On December 11, 2025, the M23 rebel group consolidated control over Uvira in eastern DR Congo, displacing 200,000 civilians and threatening the US-brokered Washington Accords signed a week earlier by DR Congo and Rwanda. Despite the peace deal, fighting continues with accusations of Rwandan forces backing M23 and ongoing civilian casualties in South Kivu province.
-
On November 26, 2025, two West Virginia National Guard members were shot near the White House in Washington, DC. Both were critically wounded and later confirmed dead. The suspect, also wounded, was taken into custody. The shooting occurred amid ongoing controversy over President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to combat crime in Democratic-run cities.
-
The US has authorized limited military operations in the Dominican Republic, including refueling and transport support at key air bases, to bolster regional anti-drug efforts. The agreement, announced by President Abinader and Defense Secretary Hegseth, aims to strengthen maritime and air interdiction against drug trafficking, amid ongoing US strikes against vessels in the Caribbean.
-
On November 26, 2025, two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded in a targeted shooting near the White House. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who arrived in the US via the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome in 2021, was taken into custody with non-life-threatening injuries. President Trump ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington, DC.
-
On November 27, 2025, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who served in CIA-backed paramilitary units, shot two National Guard members near the White House, killing one and critically wounding the other. Lakanwal entered the US in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in 2025. The attack has sparked scrutiny of refugee vetting and immigration policies.
-
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national linked to US military operations in Afghanistan, shot two National Guard members near the White House, killing one. The attack, investigated as terrorism, has prompted a broader US crackdown on Afghan immigrants, with upgraded charges and increased security measures.
-
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a former Afghan intelligence officer with CIA ties, was arrested near the White House after allegedly shooting two National Guard members. He faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, raising concerns about vetting and security of Afghan migrants in the US. The incident highlights ongoing immigration and security debates.
-
The U.S. has increased military strikes against alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing over 80 people since September. Critics question the focus on Venezuela, which is primarily a transit point for cocaine, not fentanyl, with most fentanyl linked to Mexico and China. The Biden administration faces scrutiny over its drug enforcement priorities.
-
President Trump unveiled a new national security strategy endorsing a quick peace in Ukraine, favoring non-intervention in European security, and adopting a conciliatory stance toward Russia. Meanwhile, Congress reaffirmed support for Ukraine and NATO, restricting troop reductions in Europe. The strategy signals a shift in US foreign policy priorities.
-
U.S. military and industry are rapidly developing autonomous and swarm drone technology, with recent deployments in the Middle East and increased domestic manufacturing efforts. These innovations aim to enhance battlefield mass, autonomy, and rapid production, reflecting a shift towards cheaper, disposable drones and autonomous systems amid global competition.
-
A Pentagon investigation concluded that Hegseth, a former Fox News host, did not improperly declassify information but violated policy by using personal devices for official communication. The report also highlighted concerns over sharing sensitive military details via unsecured apps, prompting calls for improved security training.
-
On December 4-5, 2025, a Pentagon Inspector General report cleared Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of wrongdoing after he used the Signal app on his personal device to share sensitive information about planned strikes on Yemen's Houthi militants. While Hegseth had authority to declassify the material, the report found his actions violated Pentagon policy and risked operational security. The case is considered closed amid bipartisan scrutiny.
-
The US has endorsed the AUKUS security pact after a Pentagon review, confirming its long-term viability. Australia will acquire US nuclear submarines in the early 2030s, with efforts to improve supply chains and build submarine capacity. Meanwhile, Australia’s domestic violence response receives a $674 million boost.
-
On December 4, the US military launched a strike against a vessel in international waters, believed to be operated by a terrorist organization and carrying narcotics. Four individuals were killed. The strike is part of ongoing US efforts against drug trafficking and terrorism, amid renewed scrutiny over previous operations.
-
Recent revelations show that social media platform X has made user geolocations public, exposing foreign accounts pretending to be American. This raises concerns about foreign interference, misinformation, and the integrity of online political debates, with accounts from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Cambodia posing as Americans to sway opinions.
-
Australia's defence and foreign ministers met US counterparts in Washington to discuss Indo-Pacific stability, critical minerals, and troop deployments. They highlighted progress on AUKUS and reaffirmed regional security commitments, amid rising tensions with China and Japan. The visit underscores Australia's strategic focus on regional alliances.
-
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes provisions demanding unedited videos of US military strikes and increased accountability, amid scrutiny of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's handling of strikes off Venezuela. The bill also addresses troop levels, Ukraine aid, and social policies, reflecting bipartisan concerns over transparency and military commitments.
-
The US has conducted targeted missile strikes against alleged drug traffickers, killing at least 86 people. Legal challenges and international criticism question the legality and morality of these actions, with lawsuits demanding transparency and accountability. The campaign continues despite widespread condemnation.
-
U.S. Navy F/A-18 jets flew over the Gulf for over 30 minutes in a routine training exercise, remaining in international airspace. The move follows increased U.S. military activity in the region amid ongoing tensions with Venezuela and recent strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats. The jets' proximity to Venezuela's coast has raised regional concerns.
-
On December 13, 2025, a lone ISIS gunman ambushed US and Syrian forces near Palmyra, Syria. Three Americans, including two service members and one civilian interpreter, were killed. The attacker was killed, and the incident marks the first US military fatalities in Syria since the fall of Bashar Assad last year.