Evening Brief: White House Defends Caribbean Strike, Putin Prepares to Meet Trump Envoy, Iceland Expands NATO Fuel Facility

New week. New month. Here’s what you need to know this Monday evening, December 1, 2025.

White House Defends Admiral’s Caribbean Strike as Lawful Amid Bipartisan Scrutiny

The White House said Monday that a US Navy admiral acted “within his authority and the law” when he ordered a follow-up strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean on September 2, an operation now under congressional review.

US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Admiral Frank Bradley authorized the second strike under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite reports that survivors remained on the vessel after the initial hit.

Lawmakers from both parties have called for investigations, citing potential legal violations if survivors were deliberately targeted. Senator Tim Kaine warned the act could amount to a war crime if confirmed, while Representative Mike Turner said both Armed Services Committees are conducting inquiries.

US President Donald Trump defended Hegseth, saying he believed the defense secretary’s denial of ordering the deaths.

.@PressSec: “Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes. Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated.” pic.twitter.com/vfpHCgvHZs

— CSPAN (@cspan) December 1, 2025

Hegseth and the White House insist the strike and broader US operations against alleged drug cartels in the Caribbean comply with US and international law. The operations, part of Trump’s expanded military campaign targeting cartels linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have killed more than 80 people.

Venezuela’s National Assembly has launched its own investigation, alleging that Venezuelan citizens were among the dead.

Two ways to continue to read this article.

Wounded West Virginia Guardsman Shows Signs of Recovery After D.C. Shooting US Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in serious condition but is showing signs of improvement after being critically wounded in last week’s daylight shooting near the White House that killed fellow West Virginia National Guard member Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20. Governor Patrick Morrisey said Monday that Wolfe responded to medical staff by giving a thumbs-up and moving his toes, adding that his family has asked for continued prayers. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, faces charges of first-degree murder and assault. Authorities said he remains hospitalized, and a court date has not been set. The attack prompted the Trump administration to suspend asylum decisions and halt visa issuances for Afghan passport holders. We’ve received positive news about SSgt. Andrew Wolfe. He was able to give a “thumbs up” when prompted by the nurse, and wiggled his toes. We continue asking for prayers for his recovery. pic.twitter.com/2CxZFftFGj — Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) December 1, 2025 Beckstrom and Wolfe were deployed to Washington as part of President Donald Trump’s federalized crime-fighting initiative. Following the shooting, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to send an additional 500 National Guard members to the capital. About 2,200 troops are currently assigned to the joint task force, including 170 from West Virginia who volunteered to extend their deployment through year’s end. US Army Orders Troops to Report Outside Job Offers Amid Foreign Espionage Threat The US Army has ordered all soldiers and civilian employees to report any offers of outside employment or academic collaborations within 24 hours, citing a rise in foreign attempts to steal classified information. An Army-wide message issued November 25 warns that adversaries are posing as recruiters, consulting firms, and think tanks to gain access to sensitive data. Officials believe the recent government shutdown may have made financially strained personnel more vulnerable to exploitation. Army Counterintelligence Command chief Brigadier General Sean Stinchon said the threat is “real, persistent, and evolving,” urging vigilance. Reports can be made through the Army’s iSALUTE system or a dedicated hotline. Outgoing intelligence chief Lieutenant General Tony Hale cautioned that failure to report such contacts could result in disciplinary action and said suspicious job offers often come disguised as writing or consulting opportunities. Army intel chief warns of foreign agents preying on troops hurt by government shutdownhttps://t.co/KVWaHy8pRG pic.twitter.com/4GDYVhMKwO — The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 27, 2025 Under Hale’s leadership, the Army revamped its counterintelligence operations, creating a new command overseeing about 3,000 agents. Since 2021, it has conducted more than 600 national security investigations, leading to at least 25 espionage-related arrests. Major General Michelle Schmidt will assume the top intelligence post on December 8 as the Army expands its counterintelligence focus. US Marine Corps Seeks Rapid-Deploy Landing System for Remote Airfields The US Marine Corps is seeking a new Expeditionary Precision Approach Landing Capability (EPALC) that would allow aircraft to land on a fully functional airfield within 90 minutes of equipment delivery, according to a Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) request for information released Monday. The system must fit inside an MV-22 Osprey, CH-53 King Stallion, or C-130 transport aircraft and be operable by a four-person team. It must also function in all weather conditions with visibility as low as half a mile and guide aircraft up to 20 nautical miles away. The EPALC initiative supports the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations concept, which focuses on small, mobile units operating from austere forward locations in contested coastal regions. The system must resist electronic jamming, identify friendly aircraft, and operate with a low detectable signature. MV-22B Osprey takes off during Patriot ordnance rehearsals at Kadena Air Force Base, Japan, October 22, 2025. Image Credit: USMC / Lance Cpl. Trevor BishopWilliams. The concept mirrors the Navy’s Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS), used on aircraft carriers and developed by Collins Aerospace, which also offers a land-based version known as eJPALS. The Marine Corps tested that system in 2021 with F-35B aircraft in Arizona. The new request signals the service’s intent to field a deployable navigation and landing capability suited for rapid-response missions in future conflicts. El Chapo’s Son Pleads Guilty to US Drug Trafficking Charges Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, pleaded guilty Monday to US drug trafficking charges tied to his leadership role in the Sinaloa cartel. Federal prosecutors said he and his brother, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, known collectively as the “Chapitos,” oversaw large-scale production and smuggling of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana into the United States. #Internacional Joaquín Guzmán López, hijo de Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, se declaró culpable de dos cargos por conspiración de tráfico de droga y delincuencia organizada en la Corte de Distrito del Norte de Chicago, Illinois, en #EEUU este 1° de diciembre. pic.twitter.com/zxMbMoGju4 — SPR Informa (@SPRInforma) December 1, 2025 Guzman Lopez admitted guilt to two counts of drug trafficking and running a continuing criminal enterprise. He was arrested in Texas in July 2024 alongside cartel co-leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada after arriving on a private jet. His brother Ovidio pleaded guilty in July to similar charges. Their arrests and plea deals mark major victories for US authorities targeting the Sinaloa cartel, which remains one of the world’s largest drug trafficking organizations. Their father, El Chapo, is serving a life sentence in a US federal prison following his 2019 conviction. Zelenskyy Sees Progress on Revised US Peace Plan as Putin Prepares to Meet Trump Envoy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that revisions to the Trump administration’s Ukraine peace plan “look better,” signaling cautious optimism after meetings in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron. The comments came as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepared to meet Tuesday with US envoy Steve Witkoff, whose involvement in shaping the plan has drawn scrutiny. The plan, originally criticized for favoring Russian demands, remains under revision by US and Ukrainian officials following talks described as “productive” by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Macron said the discussions are in a “preliminary phase” but could mark a potential turning point for European security, emphasizing that any final agreement must involve European partners. Following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised a new iteration of a peace plan, saying it looked “better” than a previous version that was hammered out between US and Russian negotiators (Translation via AP)… pic.twitter.com/CAqm1MQXvA — Bloomberg (@business) December 1, 2025 European Union officials warned against a deal that pressures Ukraine to cede territory, while Macron urged Western nations to offer strong security guarantees. Meanwhile, the Kremlin condemned recent Ukrainian drone and missile strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, and Russia retaliated with attacks on Ukraine’s Dnipro, killing four and injuring 40. The developments came as both sides tested the limits of a fragile diplomatic push to end the nearly four-year war. Iceland Expands NATO Fuel Facility to Boost North Atlantic Defense Iceland will expand a NATO fuel storage facility at Helguvik, near Keflavik International Airport, as part of efforts to strengthen the alliance’s presence in the North Atlantic amid rising security concerns. The project, financed by NATO at an estimated cost of $67 million, will add a new berth and fuel tanks capable of storing 25,000 cubic meters of maritime fuel. Construction is set to begin in late 2026 and finish by 2029. Iceland’s Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir said the expansion will enhance Iceland’s ability to support allied naval operations and improve the country’s own fuel security. Very pleased to be in Reykjavík and see Prime Minister @KristrunFrosta and Foreign Minister @thorgkatrin Iceland is a highly valued member of #NATO and a staunch supporter of #Ukraine Your strategic position underpins security for North America & Europe and your resilience &… pic.twitter.com/cXKGvSj0YL — Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) November 27, 2025 The announcement coincided with a visit by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who highlighted Iceland’s strategic importance along the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) gap — a key corridor for monitoring Russian naval movements and safeguarding transatlantic routes. South African Radio Host Accused of Recruiting Men to Fight for Russia in Ukraine South African radio presenter Nonkululeko Mantula, 39, appeared in court Monday accused of recruiting men to join Russia’s military in its war against Ukraine. Police said Mantula and four men were arrested after a tip-off, with three of the men detained while trying to board a flight to Russia via the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Authorities believe another recruit had already reached Russia. All five suspects remain in custody pending a bail hearing next week. South African law prohibits citizens from fighting for foreign militaries without government approval. The arrests come amid a separate investigation into former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who is accused of deceiving 17 South Africans into traveling to Russia under the false promise of security training. Those men are now reportedly trapped in eastern Ukraine, forced to fight for a Russian mercenary group. SAfm presenter Nonkululeko Mantula among five accused in foreign military recruitment case Nonkululeko Mantula, a presenter at SAfm, appeared in court on 1 December 2025 along with four other suspects. She and the others are charged under the Regulation of Foreign Military… pic.twitter.com/OWaqg2fqn5 — MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) December 1, 2025 The South African government said it is working with international agencies to repatriate the victims and warned citizens to avoid online campaigns offering jobs or training in Russia. Authorities have accused Moscow of using such schemes to recruit African men and women into combat or factory work linked to its war effort. US and Syrian Forces Destroy ISIS Weapons Caches in Southern Syria US and Syrian forces destroyed more than 15 Islamic State weapons storage sites during coordinated operations in southern Syria last week, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said over the weekend. The joint mission, carried out from November 24 to 27 in Rif Dimashq province, included airstrikes and controlled detonations that eliminated over 130 mortars and rockets, along with rifles, machine guns, anti-tank mines, bomb-making materials, and illicit drugs. Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said the operation aimed to prevent ISIS from regrouping or launching attacks abroad. The US has kept a military presence in Syria since 2014 under Operation Inherent Resolve to counter the group’s resurgence. Forces from U.S Central Command and the Syrian Ministry of Interior located and destroyed more than 15 sites containing ISIS weapons caches in southern Syria, Nov. 24-27. Read more: https://t.co/6N53AhiYye — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 30, 2025 The mission follows an October strike that killed a senior al-Qaida planner and ongoing efforts to reduce detainee populations at northeast Syria’s al-Hol and al-Roj camps, where thousands of ISIS-linked individuals are held. Hanwha Aerospace Showcases K9 Howitzer, Chunmoo Rocket System at Egypt Defense Expo South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace announced Monday it will participate in the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) 2025 in Cairo, presenting its key defense systems to expand its presence in Middle Eastern and African markets. The company will exhibit its K9 self-propelled howitzer, Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system, and an anti-ship ballistic missile designed for naval targets. It will also display models of its long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) and counter-drone systems. 📌تشارك شركة الدفاع الكورية “هانوا إيروسبيس” في معرض “إيديكس 2025” الذي تنطلق فعالياته اليوم في مصر. #EDEX2025 📌تسلط الشركة الضوء على مدفع الهاوتزر “كيه 9” وقاذفة الصواريخ المتعددة “تشونمو”. 🔗https://t.co/5jVj9tOCMb pic.twitter.com/L6YHQHiTy9 — Defensehere عربى (@defensehere_ar) December 1, 2025 Hanwha Aerospace signed a 2 trillion-won ($1.4 billion) contract in 2022 to supply K9 howitzers to Egypt, with deliveries set to start in early 2026. The exhibition, featuring about 450 companies worldwide, runs through Thursday. Hanwha said it aims to promote “integrated security solutions” built on its globally proven defense platforms. Sources: News Agencies — ** Editor’s Note: Thinking about subscribing to SOFREP? You can do it now for only $1 for your first year. Pull the trigger on this amazing offer HERE. – GDM