Morning Brief: Defense Bill Adds Military Flight Rules, Lithuania Declares National Emergency, Afghan Immigrants Face Surge in ICE Arrests

The Senate bill also proposes a new Federal Aviation Administration-Department of Defense coordination office, which the NDAA does not include.   Trump Defends Second Strike in Caribbean Drug-Boat Operation as Pressure Builds to Release Video US President Donald Trump said the US military fired a second missile at a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean because two survivors were attempting to right the capsized vessel, which he claimed was loaded with drugs. The September 2 operation killed nine people in the initial strike and two more in the follow-up. Trump reversed earlier remarks suggesting he supported releasing footage of the second strike, saying the decision rests with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Pres. Trump said releasing video of deadly second boat strike is up to the Defense Secretary. It comes as Democratic lawmakers insist the strike violated the laws of war. @rachelvscott has the latest. https://t.co/TNRMAAStYt pic.twitter.com/Meaj4reykA — World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) December 9, 2025 The administration faces bipartisan pressure from Congress to provide unedited strike videos, with lawmakers threatening to withhold part of Hegseth’s travel budget. Opinions in Congress remain divided after classified briefings: Republicans such as Senator Tom Cotton say the strike was lawful and routine, while Democrats, including Representatives Jim Himes and Adam Smith, say the footage shows survivors unable to pose a threat. The Pentagon has not confirmed Trump’s account, and legal experts warn that intentionally killing survivors at sea could violate the laws of armed conflict.   US Navy Launches First Information Warfare Squadron to Boost Carrier Strike Group Capabilities The US Navy established its first dedicated information warfare squadron at Naval Station Norfolk, creating Information Warfare (IW) Squadron Two to consolidate intelligence, cyber, electronic warfare, and communications capabilities for carrier strike group commanders. The four-year pilot program will test and refine how unified IW forces support operations, marking what leaders describe as a significant shift in modern warfighting. Vice Admiral Mike Vernazza said the move ends the practice of dispersing IW specialists across units and gives strike groups stronger, more integrated capabilities. 📍NORFOLK, Va. – Information Warfare Squadron Two, a first-of-its-kind unit designed to operationalize Information Warfare capabilities and provide decisive decision advantage to Carrier Strike Group Commanders, was established, Dec. 5. MORE ⬇️https://t.co/XvcJos5FIA — U.S. Fleet Forces (@USFleetForces) December 8, 2025 The new squadron aligns with Carrier Strike Group 2, led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), and a second squadron is planned for the West Coast next year. Captain Jon O’Connor, a longtime intelligence officer, took command and said the unit will focus on improving readiness, lethality, and survivability through advanced information warfare integration.   US Coast Guard, Austal Mark Milestone on New Offshore Patrol Cutter as Program Faces Design and Cost Warnings Austal USA and the US Coast Guard held a keel authentication ceremony for the future USCG Pickering, the first Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) the Alabama shipyard is building under a contract worth up to $3.3 billion. The 360-foot Heritage-class cutters are intended to replace aging vessels and serve wide-ranging missions, but the program has been troubled. Eastern Shipbuilding, the original contractor, halted work on its four OPCs due to financial strain, prompting the Coast Guard to shift later hulls to Austal. Honored to join the Coast Guard and Austal USA in Mobile for the keel laying of the USCGC Pickering. This new cutter will strengthen our maritime security and support good Gulf Coast jobs. Proud to back the men and women who build — and serve on — these ships. pic.twitter.com/xLkJCMv3p5 — Congressman Mike Ezell (@RepEzell) December 8, 2025 A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report warned the Coast Guard is again authorizing construction before designs are stable, raising risks of rework, schedule delays and uncertain total program cost. Despite the concerns, Coast Guard leaders and lawmakers expressed confidence in Austal, noting the Pickering is 25 percent complete and slated for delivery in 2027. Austal is expanding its facilities and has begun work on the sixth cutter. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it is reassessing the program and expects to set updated cost goals by 2026 as the Coast Guard plans up to 25 ships across multiple construction stages.   Zelenskyy Meets European Leaders in London as Ukraine Presses for Security Guarantees and US Peace Plan Adjustments Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Monday to coordinate Europe’s response to the latest US peace proposal and reinforce support for Ukraine at what leaders called a “critical moment.” The talks came amid growing impatience from US President Donald Trump, whose revised 20-point plan calls for territorial concessions, including ceding parts of the Donbas—a condition Kyiv and European leaders reject. Zelenskyy said anti-Ukrainian elements had been removed from earlier drafts but key issues remain, especially long-term security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression. European leaders backed Kyiv’s position and stressed the need for a “just and lasting” ceasefire, directing national security advisers to continue negotiations. Zelensky has arrived in London for urgent talks — just after Germany’s Merz and France’s Macron touched down. A high-stakes meeting between Europe’s key leaders is now underway. pic.twitter.com/8LNw8goOo5 — KyivPost (@KyivPost) December 8, 2025 The meeting coincided with publication of a new US national security strategy that signaled openness to improved relations with Russia and described NATO as not needing perpetual expansion, language welcomed by the Kremlin and viewed warily in Europe. Meanwhile, Russia continued drone attacks across Ukraine, injuring civilians and damaging infrastructure, as both sides engaged in heavy overnight drone activity.   Lithuania Declares National Emergency After Belarus Balloons Repeatedly Violate Airspace Lithuania declared a national emergency Tuesday after a surge of meteorological balloons launched from Belarus repeatedly entered its airspace, forcing airport closures and disrupting civil aviation. Officials say the balloons, some carrying contraband such as smuggled cigarettes, pose risks to public safety and may represent a form of hybrid warfare by Belarus, a close ally of Russia. Lithuania’s Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovičius said the emergency allows tighter coordination among national agencies but will be narrowly focused on aviation and security concerns. 🔴 Lithuania has declared a state of emergency after a surge of contraband balloons launched from Belarus disrupted operations at Vilnius Airport. pic.twitter.com/qU4VRgOO8V — UNITED24 Media (@United24media) December 9, 2025 The move comes amid heightened regional vigilance as NATO states report increased airspace intrusions and the war in Ukraine approaches its fourth year.   Ceasefire Nears Phase Two as US Pushes Plan to Reshape Gaza’s Future Governance and Security With only one hostage’s remains still in Gaza, the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is almost complete, setting the stage for a far more complex second phase. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, endorsed by the UN Security Council, envisions ending Hamas’ rule, deploying an international stabilization force, rebuilding a demilitarized Gaza under outside supervision and establishing a path toward Palestinian self-governance. Key elements remain unresolved: no country has formally committed troops to the proposed security force; Hamas rejects disarmament unless Israel ends its occupation; and the composition and authority of the Trump-led Board of Peace and the Palestinian technocratic committee remain unclear. Israel and Hamas move toward Phase Two of the US-backed Gaza plan. Key disagreements remain over disarmament, international forces, and Gaza’s future governance – as officials warn the ceasefire is at a critical moment. pic.twitter.com/4PHDNvyDOb — MTA News (@NewsMTA) December 8, 2025 Large-scale reconstruction will require tens of billions of dollars that have yet to be pledged. Israeli withdrawal from remaining areas of Gaza also lacks firm timelines and may face resistance from Israeli military leaders. Failure to settle these issues could leave Gaza in prolonged instability, while successful implementation would require agreement among Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and multiple international actors.   Afghan Immigrants Face Surge in ICE Arrests After Guard Shooting, Raising Fears of Collective Punishment Federal authorities have sharply increased arrests of Afghan immigrants in the United States following the November 26 shooting of two National Guard troops by an Afghan national, according to immigration lawyers and volunteers. The Associated Press tracked about two dozen arrests, most in Northern California, including multiple men who were detained after being called in for sudden Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) check-ins. Some were asylum seekers who arrived through the southern border; others were among the 76,000 Afghans admitted under Operation Allies Welcome. The administration has paused Afghan immigration applications and launched a broader reexamination of Afghans admitted during the Biden administration. ‘WORST OF THE WORST’: ICE announced the arrests of multiple Afghan nationals — released into the U.S. by the Biden administration — with convictions for crimes including kidnapping and child fondling. pic.twitter.com/kvUB1bcRXj — Fox News (@FoxNews) December 5, 2025 Advocates say many of those detained have no criminal history and previously complied with all immigration requirements, calling the crackdown a form of collective punishment against people who aided US forces in Afghanistan. The Department of Homeland Security says it is targeting suspected terrorists and criminal immigrants. The arrests have sparked fear in Afghan communities, with attorneys reporting canceled interviews, wrongful detentions and families left distraught as loved ones were taken into custody during routine check-ins.   Renewed Thailand-Cambodia Border Fighting Displaces Tens of Thousands as Both Sides Vow to Keep Attacking Heavy cross-border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered a second day Tuesday, driving more than 180,000 people from their homes as both governments signaled they are not ready to negotiate. The clashes reignited after a Sunday skirmish that killed a Thai soldier, despite a US-brokered ceasefire reached in July. Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen said his forces began retaliatory strikes overnight, while Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said military operations would continue to protect national sovereignty. Both sides accuse the other of firing first. Thai forces conducted airstrikes and reported artillery, rocket and drone attacks from Cambodia. Cambodia said at least seven civilians were killed and 20 wounded, while Thailand reported three soldiers killed. Nearly 126,000 Thais and around 55,000 Cambodians have evacuated from border areas, taking shelter in schools, markets and temporary camps. ❗️ Cambodia fires rockets at Thai border zones Unverified footage purports to show Cambodian BM-21s being launched toward the Ta Kwai Temple area pic.twitter.com/DHCDq4Bla8 — RT (@RT_com) December 9, 2025 The fighting reflects long-standing territorial disputes and unresolved grievances, including prisoner detentions and allegations of new land-mine placements. Although the October ceasefire agreement required both sides to remove heavy weapons and reduce inflammatory rhetoric, implementation has faltered. Tensions remain high, and neither government has indicated readiness to halt the escalating conflict.   7.5 Quake off Northern Japan Injures 23 and Triggers Small Tsunami A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck late Monday off northern Japan’s Aomori prefecture, injuring 23 people and generating tsunami waves of up to 70 centimeters along the Pacific coast. The quake, centered about 50 miles offshore, caused power outages, halted bullet trains and disrupted travel while prompting hundreds of residents to seek shelter. Authorities reported minor damage, including a water spill at the Rokkasho nuclear fuel facility that posed no safety threat. Videos show the moment a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit northern Japan killing at least 30 people and leaving thousands without power in freezing temperatures. pic.twitter.com/JLRxY8jHPc — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 9, 2025 The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of possible strong aftershocks and said the risk of an even larger quake has slightly increased along the northeastern coast. All tsunami advisories were lifted early Tuesday, but officials urged residents to stay prepared as assessments continue.   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