Morning Brief: Lawmakers Split After Classified Strike Video, Trump Set to Announce Gaza Plan Phase Two, Russia-India Ties in Focus at Putin-Modi Summit

President Trump said Wednesday he would release whatever video footage the administration has of the Sept. 2 strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea that killed two survivors. Read more: https://t.co/1FqpgpGFG2 pic.twitter.com/CGtCM4D7iY — ABC News (@ABC) December 4, 2025 Several Democrats say the briefing raised further questions and stressed the need for continued congressional oversight.   Appeals Court Halts Ruling That Ordered End to National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C. A federal appeals court temporarily paused a lower court ruling that blocked US President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., keeping the Guard in place while the administration appeals. US District Judge Jia Cobb had ruled on November 20 that Trump’s takeover of law enforcement authority in the district violated local control and exceeded presidential power, though she delayed enforcement for 21 days. The D.C. Circuit issued an administrative stay to allow time to consider the government’s request for a longer stay. The administration argues the deployment is lawful under Trump’s crime-emergency order, which brought more than 2,300 Guard members and hundreds of federal agents to the city. BREAKING: A D.C. Circuit three-judge panel, which included two Trump appointees, temporarily pauses a lower court order that blocked Trump’s National Guard deployment to the District until December 11th. Background: https://t.co/vJjH83Wcsd pic.twitter.com/T7e3ZjauiK — Democracy Docket (@DemocracyDocket) December 4, 2025 The challenge was brought by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who seeks to block Guard deployments without the mayor’s consent. The issue has surfaced amid similar disputes in other cities and after a recent fatal ambush on Guard troops near the White House prompted calls for additional deployments.   US Air Force Prepares to Bring T-7A Red Hawk to Texas as Next-Generation Pilot Trainer Lieutenant Colonel Michael “Hyde” Trott will fly the Air Force’s first T-7A Red Hawk training aircraft to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, marking a key step in modernizing pilot training. Weather delayed the aircraft’s arrival from Boeing’s facility in St. Louis, but Trott and his cadre are already trained in simulators and preparing for the intensive transition ahead. The Red Hawk, designed to replace the aging T-38C Talon, features modern systems and honors the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen with its red tail. Once the aircraft arrives, the squadron will establish maintenance support, begin local flight operations, and finalize training procedures before the first instructor pilot class begins in fall 2027. Due to forecasted inclement weather, we’re pressing pause on the T-7A arrival ceremony at JBSA-Randolph. We know you were looking forward to this moment, we were too. We’re already working to lock in a new date, and we’ll share the updated details as soon as we can. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/wgMqZkE5wh — AETC – First Command (@AETCommand) December 3, 2025 Maintenance teams start training next month, and additional bases will receive the Red Hawk between 2027 and 2035. The US Air Force plans to field more than 350 Red Hawks, eventually replacing both the T-38 and the T-6 Texan as it builds the framework for pilot training over the next several decades.   US-Led Raid in Syria Kills Undercover Anti-ISIS Informant, Raising Concerns Over Faulty Intelligence A US raid in the Syrian town of Dumayr intended to capture an Islamic State official instead killed Khaled al-Masoud, a local intelligence operative who had spent years infiltrating ISIS on behalf of forces aligned with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Family members and Syrian officials say, as reported by The Associated Press, al-Masoud identified himself as a government security officer before US and Syrian Free Army personnel broke into his home and shot him on October 19. He was later taken away wounded and died under unclear circumstances. Analysts say the incident highlights poor coordination between US forces and Damascus as they begin cooperating against ISIS remnants. US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued no statement on the operation, and both US and Syrian officials declined comment. Al-Masoud had been active against ISIS in Syria’s Badiya desert, and experts warn his loss could hinder counter-ISIS efforts. The case also underscores long-standing problems with faulty intelligence in Syria, where rival factions have at times used US operations to settle scores.   Trump Aims to Announce Second Phase of Gaza Peace Plan Before Christmas US President Donald Trump plans to declare the Gaza peace process ready to enter its second phase before Christmas, according to US and Western officials cited by Axios. The move comes as the fragile ceasefire has held since October 11 despite ongoing Israeli strikes that have killed 366 Palestinians and Hamas attacks that have killed several Israeli soldiers. Phase one, including Hamas’ release of hostages and Israel’s agreement to open the Rafah crossing, is nearly complete, with one set of remains still unrecovered. Trump is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu soon to finalize details. Phase two calls for further Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, deployment of an international stabilization force and installation of a new governing structure led by a Trump-chaired Board of Peace. Below it, an international executive board will include Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and officials from participating countries. A Palestinian technocratic government of 12-15 vetted, nonpartisan figures will run day-to-day affairs. The United States is close to securing consensus among Israel, the Palestinian Authority and key regional states. Trump’s got confidence in his Gaza peace plan: ‘Phase 2 is moving along. It’s gonna happen pretty soon’ ‘We have peace in Middle East, people don’t realize it’ https://t.co/iib4IIj9ly pic.twitter.com/LbsTg2qxDV — RT (@RT_com) December 3, 2025 Countries including Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Turkey are prepared to contribute troops to the stabilization force, which would operate in areas currently controlled by the Israel Defense Forces. Parallel negotiations with Hamas involve a proposal for the group to relinquish governance and begin disarmament. US officials say the core exchange will be Israeli withdrawal in return for Hamas stepping aside and laying down weapons. The administration hopes to unveil the full phase-two framework within the next few weeks.   Taliban Foreign Minister Says US-Trained Afghan Charged in Guard Shooting Acts Alone Afghanistan’s Taliban government responded for the first time to the November 26 shooting of two US National Guard members in Washington, saying the attack was an isolated act by a man previously trained by American forces. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old former member of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)-backed Afghan “Zero Units,” should not be seen as representative of the Afghan people. Lakanwal, who entered the US in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the wounding of Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe. He pleaded not guilty while appearing by video from a hospital bed. Muttaqi criticized the US for training and employing Lakanwal and called his evacuation “an illegal process.” د هیواد له یو شمېر سیاسي شننونکو او د نظر له خاوندانو سره د سیمي او افغانستان د روان وضعیت په اړه ناسته کې د ا.ا.ا. بهرنیو چارو وزیر محترم مولوي امیرخان متقي د وینا یوه برخه. IEA-Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi addressed a number of political analysts, regarding the… pic.twitter.com/EfYV7VYyih — حافظ ضياء احمد تکل (@ZiaAhmadtkl) December 3, 2025 The shooting has prompted the US government to enact new immigration restrictions and expand vetting requirements.   Putin and Modi Hold Summit to Deepen Russia-India Ties as US Presses New Delhi to Shift Away from Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in New Delhi for the annual Russia-India Summit, focusing on expanding defense, trade and energy cooperation amid US pressure on India to distance itself from Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Putin praised the countries’ long-standing partnership and briefed Modi on the conflict and US-led peace efforts. Modi called for a “roadmap for peace” while emphasizing India’s commitment to diplomacy. The summit comes as Washington raises tariffs on Indian goods and urges New Delhi to cut purchases of discounted Russian oil, which the US says funds Moscow’s war effort. India is simultaneously pursuing trade agreements with the US and European Union, creating a diplomatic balancing act. Modi is expected to push for faster delivery of S-400 missile systems, upgrades to Su-30MKI fighter jets and broader military cooperation. 🇷🇺І🇮🇳 Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India 🤝 The discussions likely include the defense, energy, and nuclear cooperation, payment mechanisms, the BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization pic.twitter.com/sQ2pt9pemQ — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 5, 2025 The leaders also aim to boost bilateral trade from $68.7 billion to $100 billion by 2030, expand Indian exports and secure long-term fertilizer supplies. Agreements on labor mobility for Indian skilled workers in Russia are also under discussion.   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