Morning Brief: Pearl Harbor Ceremony Marks Passing Era, US Deports More Iranians, Thailand–Cambodia Border Clash Flares

  NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani Tells Immigrants They Can Refuse ICE Requests After Manhattan Raid New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani released a video Sunday outlining immigrants’ rights when approached by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), days after federal agents conducted a raid in Manhattan. Mamdani said immigrants have the right to remain silent, refuse entry to ICE without a judicial warrant, and record agents as long as they do not interfere. He emphasized that ICE can legally lie but cannot enter homes, schools, or private workplaces without a judge-signed warrant. The message followed protests last week during an attempted ICE detention on Canal Street. Know your rights. Protect your neighbors. New York is — and always will be — a city for all immigrants. pic.twitter.com/nuntRzgEwq — Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) December 7, 2025 Mamdani, who takes office January 1, pledged to protect the city’s immigrant population and said New York will “always welcome” them. His remarks came weeks after a cordial Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump, whose administration has expanded immigration enforcement in cities nationwide.   US Coast Guard Seizes 3,700 Pounds of Cocaine Near Miami, Largest Station Haul Since 1995 A US Coast Guard crew from Station Miami Beach seized about 3,715 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $28 million from a suspected smuggling vessel last Tuesday, just two miles east of Government Cut. The bust is the station’s largest cocaine seizure since 1995. The operation involved coordination with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations and Homeland Security Investigations. More than 1,000 hidden packages of cocaine were found on the boat, and three individuals were taken into federal custody. NEW: A joint U.S. Coast Guard and federal law enforcement operation seizes more than 3,700 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $28 million, from a suspected drug-smuggling vessel off the coast of Miami Beach. “This was the largest USCG small boat station cocaine seizure since… pic.twitter.com/9ImXOuC07P — Fox News (@FoxNews) December 6, 2025 Officials said the case highlights ongoing efforts to block maritime drug trafficking and protect US coastal borders.   US Deports Second Group of Iranians as Hundreds More May Follow Amid Rising Tensions Iran said Monday that a second US deportation flight carrying 55 Iranians has departed, with Tehran expecting hundreds more to be returned under a Trump administration policy targeting immigration violations. Iranian officials said the deportees “expressed willingness” to return, while acknowledging US claims that the removals stemmed from legal and immigration breaches. Washington has not publicly confirmed the latest flight. Iran’s foreign ministry on Sunday confirmed that 55 Iranian nationals have been detained and are being deported from the United States, marking the second group expelled in recent months under President Donald Trump’s tightened immigration policies.https://t.co/kjtnxsRXVN pic.twitter.com/HSEiYmF3cK — Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) December 7, 2025 The deportations come amid strained US-Iran relations following American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during Tehran’s June war with Israel and as activists warn that returnees could face persecution under Iran’s intensifying crackdown. Iran has said only those with criminal charges will face prosecution, though it has a history of detaining individuals with foreign ties for leverage in prisoner exchanges.   US, Israel, and Qatar Hold Talks to Repair Ties After Israeli Strike on Doha US, Israeli and Qatari officials met Sunday to repair relations strained by Israel’s September airstrike in Doha, Qatar, Axios reported. Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, met with Mossad chief David Barnea and a senior Qatari official as part of the effort. The strike, aimed at Hamas leaders, drew rare criticism from the White House and alarmed Gulf states, as Qatar hosts the largest US military base in the region. Scoop: Israel and Qatar hold secret meeting in New York to rebuild ties https://t.co/Jnxk1XaXAk — Axios (@axios) December 7, 2025 Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are at a “critical moment,” citing uncertainty over regional stability amid continued Israeli strikes in Gaza and Lebanon and unresolved tensions between the US and Iran.   Hamas Signals Willingness to ‘Freeze or Store’ Weapons in Next Phase of Ceasefire Deal A senior Hamas official said Sunday that the group is willing to discuss “freezing or storing” its weapons as part of the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire with Israel, offering a potential path forward on one of the agreement’s most difficult issues. Bassem Naim told reporters in Doha that Hamas remains committed to its “right to resist” but is open to a long-term truce in which weapons would not be used and could be secured under Palestinian oversight. The next stage of the deal includes establishing a technocratic Palestinian committee to administer Gaza, deploying an international stabilization force and advancing discussions on Israeli troop withdrawals and Hamas’ disarmament. Naim rejected the idea of foreign troops operating inside Gaza but said Hamas would accept UN monitors along the borders. He also said Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have agreed on a candidate to lead the new committee. Hamas official says the group ready to discuss ‘freezing or storing’ its weaponshttps://t.co/spGLHJbzna pic.twitter.com/OcfFvhhvxi — The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 7, 2025 Phase one of the ceasefire, involving hostage-prisoner exchanges, is nearly complete, though both sides accuse each other of violations. Naim defended Hamas’ October 2023 attack as an “act of defense” while acknowledging the heavy Palestinian toll from Israel’s subsequent offensive.   Netanyahu Says Gaza Ceasefire Nearing Second Phase Once Last Hostage Remains Returned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel and Hamas are close to entering the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire once Hamas returns the remains of Ran Gvili, the final hostage still held in Gaza. Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Netanyahu said the next phase—potentially beginning by month’s end—will address Hamas’ disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawals and the deployment of an international stabilization force, along with creation of a temporary Palestinian governing body overseen by an international board led by US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu warned the next steps will be difficult and described a third phase focused on “deradicalizing” Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the second phase of a US plan to end the war in Gaza was close, but cautioned several key issues still needed to be resolved https://t.co/w7Y3JeybZv pic.twitter.com/15zuaDmZgO — Reuters (@Reuters) December 8, 2025 Israel says Hamas is stalling on returning remains, while Hamas says rubble from the two-year Israeli offensive has made recovery difficult. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue to operate along the newly designated “Yellow Line” inside Gaza, with the military reporting it killed a militant approaching the area. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 370 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began.   Trump Says Zelenskyy ‘Isn’t Ready’ to Approve US Peace Plan as Ukraine Talks Continue US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “isn’t ready” to sign off on a US-drafted peace proposal following three days of negotiations between American and Ukrainian officials in Florida. Trump claimed Zelenskyy had not yet read the proposal, though he said Ukrainian negotiators supported it. Zelenskyy stated he had a substantive call with the negotiating teams and affirmed Ukraine’s commitment to work in good faith toward a deal. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not endorsed the plan; last week he said parts of it were unworkable. The Kremlin nonetheless praised the Trump administration’s updated national security strategy for signaling interest in dialogue with Moscow. Trump’s outgoing Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg said a settlement is close, with unresolved issues centered on territory in the Donbas and control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Trump REVEALS Zelensky hasn’t even looked at peace plan ‘DISAPPOINTED… Russia’s fine with it… not sure Zelensky’s fine with it’ Who’s really stopping peace here? pic.twitter.com/YUVKZbp60o — RT (@RT_com) December 7, 2025 As diplomacy continued, Russian missile, drone and artillery attacks killed at least four people across Ukraine, including in Chernihiv, Kremenchuk and Kharkiv, amid ongoing strikes aimed at crippling Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.   Ukraine Predicts More Advanced Sea-Drone Strikes in 2026 as Russia Adapts in Black Sea Ukraine’s military intelligence service expects more complex sea-drone operations next year after its uncrewed fleet forced Russia’s Black Sea navy to restrict movements, the commander of the specialized Group 13 unit told The Associated Press in a recent interview. The officer, identified by the call sign “13th,” said Ukraine has “reached a plateau” in high-profile strikes because Russia has adapted by keeping ships within roughly 25 miles of port and avoiding exposure. Group 13 operates Magura V5 and V7 drones, credited with multiple attacks on Russian vessels and recently shown using modified US Sidewinder missiles. The commander said the next stage will integrate more artificial intelligence, enabling drones to autonomously search for targets, distinguish civilian from military vessels and reduce operator workload. As sea drones force Russia to retreat, Ukraine examines ways to launch more complex attackshttps://t.co/pFOTrJfluL pic.twitter.com/XMbQthbjkq — The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 7, 2025 Ukraine is also pursuing co-production of maritime drones with NATO partners, including a new initiative with Greece. Despite fewer major strikes, he said Ukraine’s sea-drone fleet continues to hold Russian forces in check and aims to regain momentum through new technology and tactics.   Bulgaria Moves to Evacuate Crew of Sanctioned Russian-Linked Tanker Stranded off Ahtopol Bulgarian maritime authorities began efforts over the weekend to evacuate the crew of the Gambian-flagged tanker Kairos, which drifted powerless and stranded less than a nautical mile off Ahtopol after a failed towing operation. The 274-meter vessel, part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to evade sanctions, caught fire last week following an alleged Ukrainian naval drone attack while sailing empty toward Novorossiysk. The European Union, United Kingdom, and Switzerland sanctioned the tanker earlier this year. Rescue officials said the ship is stable despite bad weather and poses no environmental risk. All 10 crew members are safe with several days of supplies but have requested evacuation, which authorities say will proceed once conditions improve. The grounding of tanker Kairos off the coast of Bulgaria highlights the danger of the Russia shadow fleet. 1️⃣No registry or insurance 2️⃣Ship now becomes the problem of Bulgaria 3️⃣Impending environmental disaster as the ship breaks up 4️⃣Increase in War Risk across the Black Sea pic.twitter.com/ss94US95Gv — Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴‍☠️ (@mercoglianos) December 6, 2025 Bulgaria is seeking diplomatic clarification on why the tanker entered its territorial waters, and the ship remains under continuous monitoring by coastal sensors and communication systems.   Thailand Launches Airstrikes After Renewed Border Clashes With Cambodia Thailand carried out airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia on Monday after both governments accused each other of firing first, threatening a US-brokered ceasefire reached in October. Thai officials said Cambodian troops opened fire in several areas, killing one Thai soldier and wounding four, prompting Thailand to use aircraft against Cambodian military positions. Cambodia denied initiating the attacks and urged Thailand to halt hostilities, saying it did not retaliate during the initial strikes. Schools in Cambodian border areas were closed as civilians evacuated. BREAKING: Thai military launches airstrikes on Cambodia as cross-border clashes erupthttps://t.co/gUeJIWOmLe pic.twitter.com/kAOSUxgMzP — Nikkei Asia (@NikkeiAsia) December 8, 2025 The flare-up follows months of tension after July fighting that killed dozens and after land-mine incidents led Thailand to suspend parts of the ceasefire. Border exchanges continued through the weekend, with each side blaming the other. The long-running dispute stems from conflicting historical maps and unresolved claims around the Preah Vihear temple region, and the current truce does not address the core territorial issues.   Japan Denies Chinese Claim After J-15 Locks Radar on F-15s, Lodges Formal Protest Japan on Monday rejected China’s accusation that its fighter jets interfered with Chinese military aircraft, saying Chinese J-15s locked radar on Japanese F-15s despite a safe distance between them. Tokyo lodged a formal protest, calling the radar lock “dangerous” and “extremely regrettable,” after Japan’s Defense Ministry reported two incidents Saturday near Okinawa during Chinese carrier-based flight drills. China accused Japan of “harassment” and defended its exercises, warning it would take necessary measures to protect its security. 中国軍機による自衛隊機へのレーダー照射事案についてご報告いたします。 レーダー照射は2回ありました。… pic.twitter.com/wykKChEOhA — 小泉進次郎 (@shinjirokoiz) December 6, 2025 The episode, the first known radar-lock confrontation between Japanese and Chinese aircraft, comes amid heightened tensions following comments by Japan’s prime minister about potential involvement in a Taiwan conflict. Japan and Australia, which held defense talks Sunday in Tokyo, expressed concern and urged professional conduct. Meanwhile, the Philippines said Chinese forces fired flares at a patrol plane in the South China Sea in a separate weekend encounter.   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