Evening Brief: Trump Criticizes Europe in Latest Interview, Pentagon Launches GenAI.mil Platform, Study Links Agent Orange to Rare Blood Cancer Risk

Pentagon Launches GenAI.mil Platform to Push AI Across Military Operations US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the debut of GenAI.mil, a new military artificial intelligence(AI) platform powered by Google’s Gemini system. The Pentagon said the platform is intended to drive an AI-focused cultural shift and enhance battlefield decision-making by rapidly analyzing imagery and video. Officials described AI as central to future warfare, with Under Secretary Emil Michael calling it a race the US must win. All GenAI.mil tools are certified for secure operational use at the CUI and IL5 levels. The thing is… the website does work. If you have a common access card (CAC) and are a part of the 3 million @DeptofWar civilian, contractor, and military workforce, then you can use https://t.co/uIEAOS2BF2. Thank you for your attention to this matter. https://t.co/MjJHcDQrVr pic.twitter.com/rPI6MReJkf — Department of War CTO (@DoWCTO) December 9, 2025 Hegseth urged service members and civilian personnel to integrate AI into daily workflows, emphasizing innovation as key to maintaining US military advantage.   Congress Presses Pentagon as Navy Admiral Retires Early Amid Scrutiny of Deadly Venezuela Boat Strikes Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, who is retiring early as head of US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), briefed Senate Armed Services Committee leaders in a classified call as Congress intensifies its investigation into US President Donald Trump’s lethal campaign against alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela. Lawmakers are demanding unedited strike footage, written orders and a clearer legal basis after reports that a September 2 operation killed two survivors clinging to wreckage. Holsey’s retirement and the lack of transparency have heightened bipartisan concern, with both parties questioning intelligence used to justify the strikes and whether the campaign complies with US and international law. The U.S. Navy admiral who is retiring early from command of the campaign to destroy vessels allegedly carrying drugs near Venezuela spoke to key lawmakers. https://t.co/oBprYBe5Z8 — South Florida Sun Sentinel (@SunSentinel) December 9, 2025 The mission has destroyed 22 boats and killed at least 87 people since September, shifting Southern Command’s focus from regional stability to targeted lethal force under counterterror-style rules. Senators are also preparing a vote on a war powers resolution to restrict Trump’s ability to use military force against Venezuela, reflecting growing skepticism (including from Republicans) about the operation’s legality and oversight.   Study Finds Agent Orange Exposure Raises Vietnam Veterans’ Risk of Rare Blood Cancer A new eight-year study by researchers at the University of Miami has found that Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange face a higher risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood cancer that can take decades to appear. The findings represent the first medical evidence linking MDS to the herbicide, which may help affected veterans qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Researchers say exposed veterans tend to develop MDS earlier and are more likely to have aggressive forms that progress to acute myeloid leukemia. The study highlights long-standing gaps in coverage for veterans, as Agent Orange exposure is already tied to several cancers and chronic diseases, but previously had no confirmed link to MDS. Sylvester researchers, including Dr. @MikkaelSekeres, co-led an eight-year national study that revealed a strong link between Agent Orange (AO) exposure and the risk of blood cancers known as myelodysplastic syndromes in veterans. He presented the full analysis at the… pic.twitter.com/RGKfGsObMt — Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (@SylvesterCancer) December 8, 2025 An estimated 2.6 million service members were exposed to the defoliant, which was widely sprayed across Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos between 1962 and 1971.   Bill Would Clear Path for Medal of Honor for Korean War Pilot Who Fought Seven Soviet Jets A provision in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act would lift the five-year statute of limitations that has blocked Medal of Honor consideration for retired Navy Captain Royce Williams, a 100-year-old Korean War veteran. Williams shot down four Soviet MiG-15s during a secret 35-minute dogfight on November 18, 1952, while flying an F9F-5 Panther from the USS Oriskany. The encounter, kept classified for decades, is considered the longest dogfight in US military history. Williams received the Silver Star and later the Navy Cross, but supporters, including Representative Darrell Issa, have argued his actions merit the Medal of Honor. If the bill passes, US President Donald Trump will decide whether to grant the award.   USS Tripoli and USS Robert Smalls Make First Navy Visit to Da Nang in Two Years The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam, marking the US Navy’s first visit to the city since 2023. The ships, carrying about 2,300 sailors and Marines, are in port for a four-day stop aimed at strengthening military ties, expanding operational cooperation and supporting community engagements, including a language exchange and volunteer work at a local orphanage. US officials highlighted the visit as a sign of deepening relations as the countries conclude 30 years of diplomatic ties. Xin chào, Vietnam! USS Tripoli, USS Robert Smalls and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in Da Nang for a scheduled port visit. Read more ⬇️https://t.co/ElbMRrGBLO#AlliesAndPartners | #PresenceMatters pic.twitter.com/VpnARaoMK1 — 7th Fleet (@US7thFleet) December 9, 2025 The Tripoli recently became flagship of Amphibious Squadron 11’s ready group and deployed with elements of the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.   US Navy Recovers Downed Helicopter and Super Hornet from South China Sea After Nimitz Mishaps The US Navy recovered two aircraft that crashed into the South China Sea on October 26 while operating from the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), retrieving the wreckage from about 400 feet of water. An MH-60R Sea Hawk and an F/A-18F Super Hornet went down in separate incidents roughly 30 minutes apart, and all five crew members survived. Task Force 73 led the recovery with support from Task Force 75, Naval Sea Systems Command and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 73.6. The aircraft components are being transported to a US facility in the Indo-Pacific for analysis, and both incidents remain under investigation. 🇺🇸 BREAKING: The U.S. Navy has recovered both the F/A-18F Super Hornet and MH-60R Seahawk that crashed just 30 minutes apart in the South China Sea on Oct 26. Both aircraft were lifted from 400 feet underwater, after concerns that leaving the wreckage could allow China to study… pic.twitter.com/Ilh9nD3KJH — Defence Index (@Defence_Index) December 9, 2025 The Nimitz, the Navy’s oldest carrier, is returning to its homeport this month ahead of decommissioning beginning next year.   US Marines, Japan Advance Island Defense Strategy as Regional Tensions Rise The US Marine Corps is expanding new weapon integration and refining its island defense strategy with Japan to counter potential crises in the Indo-Pacific, Lieutenant General Roger Turner, commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force, said Tuesday on Okinawa. Turner cited a recent Chinese J-15 radar lock on Japanese F-15s near Okinawa as an example of increasingly provocative regional activity. Since taking command in early 2024, he has overseen the full integration of the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, central to the Marines’ stand-in force concept for operating inside enemy missile range. The unit demonstrated new capabilities during Resolute Dragon, deploying systems such as NMESIS (Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) for ship interdiction and MADIS (Marine Air Defense Integrated System) for air defense, both designed to operate alongside Japanese missile systems. Turner said cooperation with Japan has strengthened across communications, command and control and joint fires, and noted continued progress toward a shared island-defense posture in the Nansei chain.   EU Weighs Using Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Ukraine as Leaders Push for 2026-27 Aid Deal European Union (EU) leaders head into a December 18 summit facing a high-stakes decision on whether to use tens of billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine’s economic and military needs through 2027. Kyiv requires substantial financial support by early 2026, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates its total needs at $157 billion. Two options are on the table: a “reparations loan” backed by Russian central bank assets held in Europe, mostly at Belgium’s Euroclear, or a repeat of the EU’s pandemic-era strategy of borrowing on financial markets. The first option requires only a qualified majority and avoids potential vetoes from Hungary or other skeptics, but it carries financial, legal and political risks. The European Central Bank warns it could undermine trust in the euro, and Belgium fears Russian retaliation or lawsuits. The assets have generated billions in interest already being used for G7-coordinated Ukraine support. Brussels argues the plan does not constitute “theft” because Russia’s legal claims would remain intact, with repayment tied to future war reparations. Brussels has activated a legal tool allowing indefinite freezing of Russian central bank assets without unanimous EU consent—circumventing any Hungarian veto. The EU now proposes €210B for Ukraine (2026–27), including €140B from frozen Russian funds at Euroclear and €25B from… — Olga Nesterova (@onestpress) December 8, 2025 Belgium remains the main holdout despite assurances that other EU states would share the risk.   Zelenskyy Rejects US Push for Territorial Concessions as Europe Rallies Behind Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed that Kyiv will not cede territory to Russia, rejecting US pressure to accept a peace proposal that calls for handing over parts of the Donbas. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian law and moral responsibility forbid giving up land. The stance comes as US President Donald Trump argues Ukraine must “play ball” because Russia holds the battlefield advantage. Zelenskyy met with leaders in Italy, the Vatican, the United Kingdom, France and Germany to solidify European backing and discuss security guarantees aimed at preventing future Russian aggression. European officials voiced skepticism about elements of the US plan and stressed the need for a just and durable ceasefire. Breaking news: Ukraine will not surrender territory, President Zelensky declared, rejecting a central Russian demand that President Trump had incorporated into his latest proposal to end the Kremlin’s war. https://t.co/VTI33OAxWB — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 8, 2025 Russia, meanwhile, reiterated its claim to the Donbas and vowed to pursue its war aims. Both sides continued heavy drone and missile strikes, with Ukraine enduring widespread energy outages and Russia reporting drone attacks deep inside its territory. Humanitarian agencies warned of severe winter impacts as funding shortages force cuts to essential services.   Hamas Demands More Pressure on Israel Before Advancing to Next Ceasefire Phase Hamas signaled it will not move to the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza until Israel fully implements initial commitments, including reopening the Rafah crossing, halting strikes and allowing more aid into the enclave. The group’s demands come as Israel says it is prepared to advance under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, contingent on Hamas returning the remains of the final Israeli hostage. Israel has continued strikes it says target militants violating the truce, while Palestinian officials report civilian deaths since the ceasefire took effect. Aid deliveries remain far below the agreed level of at least 600 trucks per day, and the United Nations warns that medical supplies and food diversity remain critically insufficient. Hamas says the Gaza truce cannot advance to its second phase while Israeli violations continue, urging mediators to act pic.twitter.com/rsjeE6NHr0 — TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) December 9, 2025 The US plan envisions future negotiations requiring Hamas’ disarmament and the formation of an international body to govern Gaza. Israel’s two-year campaign has killed more than 70,300 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, following the October 2023 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel.   Two Trump-Backed Peace Deals Falter as Fighting Resurges in Congo and Along Thai-Cambodian Border Two peace agreements US President Donald Trump recently promoted as diplomatic victories are at risk of collapsing after renewed fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo and on the Cambodia-Thailand border. Violence in eastern Congo surged days after Trump witnessed a deal signed in Washington by Congo and Rwanda intended to halt clashes involving the M23 militia. The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes and the US State Department urged an immediate halt to fighting and called on all parties to uphold commitments under the agreement. At the same time, hostilities have intensified along the Thai-Cambodian border despite a ceasefire pact Trump observed in Kuala Lumpur in October. Recent skirmishes have left dozens dead and displaced more than 100,000 civilians. US officials say they are monitoring both crises and expect the parties to honor their agreements. Trump’s so-called peace deals are falling apart fast, and it’s no surprise. While he brags about ending eight wars and blames Zelensky for blocking his “biggest breakthrough,” the truth is simpler, he strong-arms sides into shaky truces without fixing the real issues. From Gaza… pic.twitter.com/RRo5XlzJVh — NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) December 9, 2025 The setbacks add to a growing list of unresolved conflicts Trump has cited as diplomatic achievements, including stalled efforts involving Gaza, Ukraine, and other regional disputes.   Microsoft Unveils $17.5 Billion India Investment to Expand Cloud and AI Infrastructure Microsoft announced a $17.5 billion investment in India over the next four years, its largest commitment in Asia, to accelerate the country’s cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. CEO Satya Nadella revealed the plan after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the funding will support infrastructure, workforce skills and sovereign AI capacity as India positions itself as a global tech hub. The move highlights intensifying competition among major firms, following Google’s recent $15 billion pledge to build an AI hub in Visakhapatnam. Thank you, PM @narendramodi ji, for an inspiring conversation on India’s AI opportunity. To support the country’s ambitions, Microsoft is committing US$17.5B—our largest investment ever in Asia—to help build the infrastructure, skills, and sovereign capabilities needed for… pic.twitter.com/NdFEpWzoyZ — Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) December 9, 2025 Microsoft’s investment builds on an earlier $3 billion plan and includes expanding data center capacity, with its largest hyperscale site expected to go live in mid-2026. The company employs more than 22,000 people in India and aims to scale operations as the government pushes to grow its AI and semiconductor sectors.   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