Morning Brief: US Military Strikes Drug-Smuggling Boats in the Eastern Pacific, USS Nimitz Returns Home, Türkiye Shoots Down Drone Near Black Sea

  Trump Administration Cites Security to Defend White House Ballroom Project The Trump administration told a federal court on Monday that construction of a new White House ballroom must continue for national security reasons and argued that a preservation group lacks standing to block the project. The filing responded to a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeking to halt the project until it undergoes federal reviews, public comment, and congressional approval. The administration said the Secret Service requires continued work at the former East Wing site to meet security needs tied to presidential protection, though it did not publicly detail the concerns and offered to brief the judge in a classified setting. Officials said demolition cannot be reversed and that future construction plans are not final, making the legal challenge premature. Construction of White House’s planned $300 million ballroom is expected to be completed in Summer 2028, just months before U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office, per environmental assessment prepared by National Park Service in late August. – CBS Contributed by @AZ_Intel_. pic.twitter.com/pE46h0JAU3 — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 16, 2025 The lawsuit marks the most direct effort to stop Trump’s plan to build a privately funded, 90,000-square-foot ballroom on White House grounds.   USS Nimitz Returns Home as Navy Prepares for Final Chapter The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) returned this week to Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, marking the 30th homecoming in its nearly 50 years of service. The Navy’s oldest carrier completed an 82,000-mile deployment that included strikes on ISIS targets in Somalia, more than 8,500 aircraft sorties, and port visits across the Indo-Pacific and Middle East. Commissioned in 1975, the Nimitz became the first ship of its class and a central platform for US power projection, supporting operations from the Cold War through conflicts in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and against ISIS. The carrier also completed a record 11-month deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic. USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier coming into Naval Magazine Indian Island, Washington – December 12, 2025 SRC: FB- Steve Mullensky pic.twitter.com/DnMMdKvZJ7 — WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) December 13, 2025 The Navy plans to send Nimitz to Norfolk, Virginia, in 2026 for decommissioning, as newer Gerald R. Ford–class carriers assume its role in the fleet.   French Court Sentences Ex-Congolese Rebel Leader to 30 Years for War Crimes A French court sentenced former Congolese rebel leader Roger Lumbala to 30 years in prison for complicity in crimes against humanity committed during the Second Congo War in 2002 and 2003. Judges found Lumbala guilty of ordering or aiding acts including torture, rape, sexual slavery, summary executions, forced labor, and widespread looting during operations led by his RCD-N rebel group in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Lumbala, arrested in France under universal jurisdiction laws, denied commanding fighters and refused to testify, challenging the court’s authority. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence. French court sentences DR Congo ex-rebel chief Lumbala to 30 years over atrocities ➡️ https://t.co/Yx8RfcQff0 pic.twitter.com/YyNDI3JTvD — FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) December 15, 2025 The trial marked the first time a Congolese national was convicted by a national court for crimes tied to the conflict, which killed more than 5 million people. Victims and rights groups said the verdict set a precedent against impunity as violence continues in eastern Congo.   Türkiye Shoots Down Drone Near Black Sea After Regional Tensions Rise Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said it shot down an out-of-control aerial drone that approached Turkish airspace from the Black Sea, prompting the scramble of F-16 fighter jets. Officials said the drone was destroyed in a safe area away from populated locations, without providing further details. Turkey’s Ministry of Defense announced that a Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down an unidentified drone over the Black Sea after it approached Turkish airspace earlier tonight. pic.twitter.com/qcsx9WRoJm — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 15, 2025 The incident followed Ukrainian naval drone attacks on Russian “shadow fleet” oil tankers near Türkiye’s coast and growing warnings in Ankara about the Ukraine war spilling into the region. Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized the tanker strikes as a threat to navigation, human safety, and the environment, particularly near Turkey’s exclusive economic zone.   Australia Calls Bondi Beach Mass Shooting an ISIS-Inspired Terrorist Attack Australian authorities said the mass shooting that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State. Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said evidence included ISIS flags and improvised explosive devices found in a vehicle linked to the suspects, a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son. The older suspect was killed at the scene, while the younger was hospitalized. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87, and 25 people remain hospitalized, including several in critical condition. Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in almost 30 years has sparked an outpouring of grief, anger and solidarity from the country’s roughly 120,000 Jews, which include the highest per capita population of Holocaust survivors outside of Israel. https://t.co/atUyYm4WQv pic.twitter.com/oDSzAbnmmx — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 15, 2025 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to further tighten Australia’s gun laws after it emerged the older suspect legally acquired six firearms. Authorities are also investigating the suspects’ recent travel to the Philippines. The attack has renewed concerns about antisemitism and domestic extremism, prompted national mourning, and sparked a surge in blood donations. Officials praised civilians and lifeguards who aided victims during the attack, including a man who disarmed one of the assailants.   Pakistan Jails Banned Islamist Leader for Inciting Chief Justice’s Killing A Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced Zaheerul Hassan Shah, a senior leader of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan party, to 35 years in prison for inciting violence after he publicly called for the killing of then–Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Court officials on Tuesday said Shah offered a cash reward for the judge’s beheading in a video that circulated on social media last year, prompting his arrest. The case followed backlash from hardline religious groups over Isa’s decision to grant bail to an Ahmadi man in a blasphemy case. TLP Leader Pir Zaheerul Hasan jailed for 35 Years: Threats To Former Chief Justice READ MORE: https://t.co/tILKxGlycS#TLPLeader #PirZaheerulHasan #Jailed #35Years #Threats #FormerChiefJustice #QaziFaezIsa #Lahore #TTI pic.twitter.com/T2BIFoBPy4 — The Truth International (@ttimagazine) December 16, 2025 Shah’s conviction comes weeks after the government outlawed TLP following deadly clashes with police during a pro-Gaza rally. Authorities say the party’s leader, Saad Rizvi, fled during the unrest and remains at large.   Japan Deploys Troops as Bear Attacks Surge Into Cities Japan deployed its Ground Self-Defense Force troops to northern Akita prefecture last month to support local authorities responding to a sharp rise in bear attacks. Nationwide, bear encounters have killed 13 people and injured more than 200 this year, with Akita recording the highest toll at at least 66 attacks and four deaths, according to Japan’s Environment Ministry. About 900 soldiers provided logistical support, including transporting traps and removing bears already killed by hunters, after local resources proved insufficient. クマ生息数の全国調査へ…統一手法で正確な頭数把握、来年度から環境省 Govt to Take Lead on Bear Population Surveys to Help Tackle Rise in Attackshttps://t.co/nsu7Ba2IZh — The Japan News 日本語 (@JN_Japanese) December 13, 2025 Officials said the attacks increasingly occurred in urban and residential areas, fueling public fear and economic disruption. Experts attribute the surge to expanding forests, reduced food sources, declining rural populations, and fewer hunters, factors that have pushed bears closer to human settlements.   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