Evening Brief: US Seizes Large Oil Tanker off Venezuela, Zelenskyy Prepares New Peace Proposals, Thailand–Cambodia Border Fighting Intensifies

Judge Orders Trump Administration to Return Control of California National Guard to the State A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to end its deployment of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles and return authority over the force to the state, ruling that President Donald Trump exceeded his power by activating the Guard without Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent. US District Judge Charles Breyer issued a preliminary injunction but delayed its effect until Monday to allow for a potential appeal. Breyer rejected the administration’s claim that the courts could not review deployment extensions and dismissed arguments that the Guard was still needed to protect federal property, calling the justifications misleading. About 100 Guard members remain assigned to federal facilities but are not assisting immigration enforcement. Donald Trump diverted these brave men and women from their vital public safety operations and deployed them against the very communities they took an oath to serve. Today’s ruling is unmistakably clear: the federalization of the California National Guard must end. https://t.co/3vT9BhDDin — Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) December 10, 2025 California sued, arguing the president was using Guard troops as a domestic police force in violation of federal law. Breyer said the administration’s rationale, including suggestions of rebellion, did not withstand scrutiny and noted that local law enforcement had managed protests for months. The June activation marked the first time in decades a president deployed a state’s National Guard without the governor’s request.   US Navy Puts $448 Million Into AI Push to Accelerate Shipbuilding Modernization The US Navy recently announced a $448 million investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy to expand the use of advanced software across the shipbuilding industry, aiming to speed production, cut costs and strengthen industrial capacity. The initiative, built around Palantir’s technology, will integrate data from planning systems and shipyard operations to remove bottlenecks and improve decision-making. Early results cited by the Navy include reducing submarine schedule planning from 160 hours to under 10 minutes and cutting material review times from weeks to under an hour. The first phase targets submarine builders and suppliers, with expansion to surface ship programs as the approach is refined. The Navy is investing $448 million in AI and Autonomy Tech to speed up shipbuilding, striking a major deal with Palantir to overhaul the supply chain for America’s nuclear submarine fleet. Navy Secretary John Phelan says the effort aims to slash maintenance downtime and could… pic.twitter.com/bWzKwS2WXE — One America News (@OANN) December 10, 2025 The investment aligns with Secretary of the Navy John Phelan’s broader effort to overhaul shipbuilding, including canceling most of the delayed Constellation-class frigate program and advancing the selection of a new medium landing ship design. The moves support long-term plans under the Trump administration’s “Golden Fleet” concept to grow the Navy to about 300 crewed ships.   US Says Trump–Erdogan Ties Boost Talks on Turkey’s Possible Return to F-35 Program The US Ambassador to Ankara said Wednesday that improved relations between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have opened the most productive discussions in years on Turkey’s potential readmission to the F-35 fighter jet program. Turkey was removed from the program in 2019 after acquiring Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which Washington said risked exposing F-35 data to Moscow. US Ambassador Tom Barrack said talks continue on both Turkey’s bid to rejoin and its retention of the S-400 system, expressing hope for a breakthrough that satisfies US security requirements. The United States is in ongoing discussions with Türkiye regarding their desire to rejoin the F-35 program and their possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. As laid out in U.S. law, Turkiye must no longer operate nor possess the S-400 system to return to the F-35… — Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) December 9, 2025 Ankara has sought to rebuild its air power through Eurofighters, F-16s, and development of its own KAAN jet while pressing for the reversal of sanctions imposed under US law. Trump signaled in a September meeting with Erdogan that the ban could be lifted, marking a shift from the more distant approach of previous administrations concerned about Turkey’s human rights record, ties to Russia and regional tensions.   Europe Moves Toward Weaker Migrant Protections as Governments Seek Tougher Controls European nations signaled on Wednesday a willingness to reinterpret long-standing migrant protections under the European Convention on Human Rights, reflecting growing political pressure for tougher migration policies. After meetings in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe’s 46 member states acknowledged mounting security concerns while reaffirming the convention’s core principles. Twenty-seven countries issued a separate statement calling for a less restrictive legal approach, arguing that current interpretations limit their ability to deport criminals and manage illegal migration. Rights advocates warned that governments are, for the first time, targeting a specific group for reduced legal protections. NEW – Ursula von der Leyen says that to prevent illegal border crossings, “we must open more safe and legal pathways to Europe,” and announces, as part of the new “talent partnerships,” an office opening in India to connect European employers with non-European jobseekers. pic.twitter.com/UMnxqKIKSc — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) December 10, 2025 The shift comes as mainstream parties adopt harder stances to counter far-right gains despite a decline in irregular border crossings into the European Union. In parallel, EU officials pledged to intensify efforts to dismantle smuggling networks. European leaders also emphasized the need to balance enforcement with efforts to fill labor shortages through legal immigration pathways.   Zelenskyy Prepares New Peace Proposals as US Presses for Swift Settlement in Ukraine War Ukraine plans to deliver its latest peace proposals to US negotiators as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares for urgent talks with leaders from roughly 30 allied nations. The discussions come as Washington pushes for a rapid settlement, narrowing Kyiv’s negotiating space while Russia shows no sign of shifting its demands. European leaders contacted US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, calling the moment critical for diplomacy. Zelenskyy said Kyiv is finalizing a 20-point framework for ending the war and a separate plan for postwar reconstruction. He also signaled readiness for a Ukrainian presidential election within 60 to 90 days if international partners can ensure security and legal changes allow voting under martial law. The invitation followed Trump’s criticism of Ukraine’s electoral process, echoing claims previously made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine and its European partners will soon be ready to present the US with ‘refined documents’ on a peace plan to end the war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, following days of high-stakes shuttle diplomacy https://t.co/EovImM90z5 pic.twitter.com/0Fb7GgIEDe — Reuters (@Reuters) December 10, 2025 Meanwhile, the US seeks improved ties with Russia, and Moscow has praised Trump’s involvement. European allies have increased some contributions, but overall military aid to Ukraine has declined sharply since the US limited assistance to NATO-funded support.   Aid Deliveries to Gaza Fall Far Below Ceasefire Target as Shortages Deepen, AP Analysis Shows Aid entering Gaza is well below the 600-truck daily level mandated under the US-brokered ceasefire, according to an Associated Press review of Israeli military data. COGAT’s figures show an average of about 459 trucks a day since October 12, far short of the roughly 33,600 trucks expected under the truce. Israel says more than 25,700 trucks have entered Gaza, but it has not released daily data, and its totals conflict sharply with United Nations and Hamas counts. The UN reports just 6,545 trucks offloaded at crossings since the ceasefire began, averaging about 113 per day, while humanitarian agencies warn severe restrictions and logistical barriers are slowing deliveries. ⭕️ Note: Aid groups managing displacement sites on the ground in Gaza tell the UN they can access and help less than one-third of all known shelter locations due to continued Israeli restrictions and a lack of supplies. https://t.co/Z7o4kJlK2w — Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) December 10, 2025 Aid groups say the shortfall is worsening hunger and displacement, with UNICEF reporting malnourished newborns and families exposed to winter conditions. Disputes over compliance with the ceasefire continue, including delays in returning the remains of the final Israeli hostage. Mediators warn time is running short to advance the agreement into its next phase, as violence persists, including the death of a Palestinian teenager in Jabaliya.   Three Iranian Revolutionary Guard Members Killed in Ambush Near Pakistan Border Gunmen ambushed and killed three members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) while they were patrolling near the city of Lar in Sistan and Baluchistan province, state media reported on Wednesday. IRNA said the attackers, described by the Guard as “terrorists,” escaped and remain at large. No group has claimed responsibility. The remote province, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long seen periodic clashes involving militant groups, drug traffickers and Iranian security forces. Three members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in a terrorist attack in southeastern Iran, near the border with Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/8LS3aw3LDx — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 10, 2025 In August, Iranian forces killed 13 militants in several operations after five police officers were fatally attacked in the same region.   Border Fighting Intensifies as Thailand–Cambodia Exchange Heavy Fire, Displacing Hundreds of Thousands Renewed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia escalated on Wednesday with sustained artillery, rocket and drone strikes along the border, forcing more than 400,000 people in Thailand and over 127,000 in Cambodia to evacuate. The fighting, triggered by a Sunday skirmish that injured two Thai soldiers and collapsed a fragile Trump-brokered ceasefire, has killed more than a dozen people. Thailand reported five soldiers dead and dozens wounded, while Cambodia said nine civilians, including an infant, were killed and 46 wounded. Both governments have vowed to continue fighting. Thailand has launched airstrikes on what it calls Cambodian military targets, while Cambodia has fired scores of BM-21 rocket salvos. Thai soldiers LAY DOWN gunfire at Cambodian border More than a dozen killed and 400,000 displaced as Trump-brokered peace crumbles https://t.co/eqtd87ynlP pic.twitter.com/MYSxQOdPUo — RT (@RT_com) December 10, 2025 The violence also led Cambodia to withdraw its team from the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. US President Donald Trump said he plans to intervene to restore calm, but Thai officials said Washington has not contacted them about a new ceasefire. Tensions remain high as both sides trade accusations over prisoners, land mines, and ceasefire violations.   Sources: News Agencies — ** Editor’s Note: Thinking about subscribing to SOFREP? You can support Veteran Journalism & do it now for only $1 for your first year. Pull the trigger on this amazing offer HERE. – GDM