Morning Brief: Police Release Detainee in Brown Shooting, Extremist Groups Turn to AI, New MI6 Chief Warns Putin’s ‘Export of Chaos’

Brown canceled all remaining classes and exams for the semester as the investigation continues.   US, South Korea Recover Crashed MQ-9 Reaper Off West Coast US and South Korean forces have recovered an MQ-9 Reaper drone that crashed last month off South Korea’s western coast, the US Air Force’s 8th Fighter Wing said. The aircraft, assigned to the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, went down during a routine mission near Maldo-ri Island on November 24. The drone was recovered through a joint effort involving South Korea’s military and coast guard, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing. Air Force officials said MQ-9 flight operations have continued with added safety measures. The Reaper supports US–South Korea intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions and is a key asset despite a historical record of higher mishap rates compared with manned aircraft.   ISIS Ambush in Syria Kills Two US Troops and an American Civilian Two US service members and an American civilian were killed, and three other US troops were wounded in an Islamic State attack in central Syria over the weekend, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). The attack occurred during a key leader engagement near Palmyra and was carried out by a lone gunman who was later killed. The slain service members were Army soldiers from the Iowa National Guard, and the civilian was an interpreter, the Pentagon said. US helicopters evacuated the wounded to the Al-Tanf base near the borders with Iraq and Jordan. REPORT Two U.S. troops and a local interpreter were killed in the Syrian ambush. Man who attacked Syrian and US troops was member of Syria’s Security Forces pic.twitter.com/AukKuTpsMU — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 13, 2025 US President Donald Trump vowed retaliation, while US and Syrian officials said the attacker was linked to ISIS. The ambush marked the first US casualties in Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last year.   Israeli Raids in Southern Syria Kill Civilians and Raise Fears of Long-Term Occupation Israeli forces killed 13 villagers during a raid last month in Beit Jin, a town in southwestern Syria, according to residents and Syrian officials, intensifying tensions and undermining prospects for improved relations between Israel and Syria. Israel said its troops entered the village to target militants planning attacks, came under fire, and responded with ground and air strikes. Residents denied the presence of militants and said villagers confronted Israeli troops before tanks, artillery, and a drone strike hit the area. The raid came amid an expanding Israeli military presence in southern Syria following the ouster of former President Bashar Assad. Israeli forces have moved into the UN-mandated buffer zone near the Golan Heights, established checkpoints and installations, and increased patrols and drone flights. Israeli forces raided a village in Syria’s Quneitra province and set up a checkpoint, marking the latest violation of the country’s sovereignty https://t.co/yNhMTnLL3g — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 15, 2025 Israel says the deployment is temporary and aimed at preventing attacks, but it has not outlined a timeline for withdrawal. Syrian leaders and regional experts warn the actions risk destabilizing the country further, while US officials have publicly urged Israel to avoid steps that could derail Syria’s political transition.   Extremist Groups Turn to AI for Propaganda, Recruitment, and Cyber Tools Militant groups, including the Islamic State, are increasingly experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI) to expand recruitment, spread propaganda, and enhance cyber capabilities, according to national security experts and intelligence agencies. While their use of AI remains relatively basic, analysts warn the technology lowers barriers for small or poorly funded groups to produce deepfakes, translate messaging, and generate content at scale. Researchers say extremist groups have already used AI-generated images, videos, and audio to exploit conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war and high-profile attacks in Russia, amplifying disinformation and recruiting efforts. US officials warn that as AI tools become more powerful and accessible, militants could apply them to cyberattacks or even chemical and biological weapons development. Lawmakers are pushing new measures to track and counter the growing misuse of AI by extremist organizations.   Zelenskyy Open to Dropping NATO Bid, Rejects Land Concessions to Russia Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is prepared to drop Ukraine’s bid to join NATO in exchange for binding Western security guarantees, but firmly rejected proposals that would require Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. He made the remarks as he met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during talks aimed at ending the war. Zelenskyy said any security guarantees must be legally binding and backed by the US Congress, describing the NATO concession as a significant compromise. He rejected US-floated ideas for Ukrainian troop withdrawals or a demilitarized economic zone in eastern Ukraine, insisting that a ceasefire freeze current front lines. Russia has demanded Ukrainian withdrawals from parts of Donetsk it does not control, a condition Kyiv continues to oppose. ❗️ Zelensky is prepared to hold elections within 100 days and relinquish Ukraine’s NATO membership pursuit — Bild https://t.co/OzKfCmcEoK pic.twitter.com/5b9w5jglWQ — RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2025 The talks took place amid ongoing Russian and Ukrainian aerial attacks, underscoring the difficulty of reaching a settlement.   Europe Rallies Behind Ukraine as US Pushes Fast-Track Peace Deal European leaders are set to reinforce support for Ukraine as Washington presses Kyiv to quickly accept a US-brokered peace deal with Russia. The meetings follow talks in Berlin between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US envoys, which the US said produced progress but left major disputes unresolved. European leaders warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to reshape Europe’s borders and urged long-term support for Ukraine’s security, as negotiations continue amid disagreements over eastern Ukraine and the future of NATO’s role. EU’s Kallas is firing on all cylinders…Claiming: 🔹New sanctions on ‘Russian shadow fleet’ to be decided ‘today’ 🔹Won’t leave EU summit without decision for Ukraine funding 🔹Work on ‘Reparations loan’ for Ukraine ‘increasingly difficult’ What round of sanctions are we on? pic.twitter.com/Uppi9TqpIM — RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2025   New MI6 Chief Warns Putin’s ‘Export of Chaos’ Is Reshaping Global Conflict The new head of Britain’s MI6 spy agency is set to warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin is deliberately exporting instability, creating unpredictable and interconnected security threats. In her first public speech as MI6 chief, Blaise Metreweli will say Russia’s use of chaos as a tool of statecraft is rewriting the rules of conflict and will persist unless Moscow changes course. Metreweli will emphasize the growing hybrid threat posed by Russia, China, and Iran, combining cyber operations, espionage, and influence campaigns. She will stress that modern intelligence work requires both advanced technical skills and traditional human intelligence. Russia is ‘exporting chaos’, new head of Britain’s spy agency MI6 warns https://t.co/kgnILJCOQs — Financial Times (@FT) December 15, 2025 Metreweli, who took office in September, is the first woman to lead MI6 and follows recent UK sanctions targeting alleged Russian disinformation efforts and Chinese cyber activities.   Australia Moves to Tighten Gun Laws After Antisemitic Beach Massacre Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese proposed tougher national gun laws after a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach killed at least 15 people and wounded dozens. Authorities said a father and son carried out the attack, with the father legally owning six firearms under a gun license he had held for a decade. Albanese said the government would push to limit the number of guns licensed owners can obtain and review licenses so they are not held indefinitely. State and federal leaders signaled support for stricter rules following what Albanese called an act of antisemitic terrorism. Australia’s government may further tighten firearms regulations in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, signaling a possible new round of gun law reforms. pic.twitter.com/JT8UK7LMpe — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 15, 2025 The attack has also intensified scrutiny of government efforts to address rising antisemitism, as investigations continue into how the gunmen were able to carry out the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly 30 years.   Probe Says Ousted South Korean President Planned Martial Law and Provocations South Korean investigators concluded that former President Yoon Suk Yeol spent more than a year plotting to impose martial law to eliminate political rivals and consolidate power. An independent counsel said Yoon and senior military allies also ordered operations aimed at provoking North Korea to justify the move, despite the lack of a serious response from Pyongyang. Yoon declared martial law in December 2024, sending troops to parliament and election offices, but lawmakers quickly overturned the decree and later impeached him. The Constitutional Court formally removed him in April. Investigators said Yoon reshaped military leadership to support the plan and branded the opposition-controlled legislature as “anti-state forces.” Former South Korean ‍President ⁠Yoon Suk Yeol tried to provoke North Korea into ⁠mounting a military aggression to create justification for the ​December 2024 ‌martial law ‍declaration and to eliminate political opponents, a special prosecutor ‍said on Monday. pic.twitter.com/6eCrAFAbxf — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 15, 2025 Yoon and 23 others, including former top officials, have been indicted, while separate bribery probes tied to the Unification Church have widened to include multiple politicians.   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