Morning Brief: Shutdown Stalls US Arms Exports to NATO, Syria’s New Leader Visits Washington, Thailand Warns of Ceasefire Suspension

With flight disruptions, food aid delays, and unpaid federal workers mounting, the Senate faces pressure to finalize the bill within days while preparing for another fight over health care in December.   Latin American-EU Summit Opens in Colombia Amid Disputes Over US Military Strikes European, Latin American, and Caribbean representatives began a two-day summit in Santa Marta, Colombia, on Sunday to strengthen cooperation on renewable energy, food security, and technology, though tensions over recent US military operations have overshadowed the agenda. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, hosting the meeting, condemned US strikes on alleged drug-carrying vessels that have killed more than 60 people since September, calling them “extrajudicial executions.” The summit’s significance has been questioned due to the absence of key European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Colombian officials attributed the low turnout to scheduling conflicts with a United Nations climate conference. Still, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attended, emphasizing cooperation and dialogue. Lula’s attendance drew attention, as Brazil is simultaneously hosting COP30. He said his presence signaled solidarity with Venezuela, which has faced US threats of military action. Today’s #CELACUE2025 Summit in Santa Marta is a clear demonstration of the strong bond between Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as the value of dialogue and cooperation at a time when multilateralism is being questioned worldwide. Read our joint statement here⬇️… pic.twitter.com/CR4mezVPHe — António Costa (@eucopresident) November 10, 2025 Regional diplomats expect the summit’s final declaration to focus on multilateral cooperation, though debate over the US operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific remains central.   Government Shutdown Stalls $5 Billion in US Arms Exports to NATO Allies and Ukraine More than $5 billion in US weapons sales intended for NATO allies and Ukraine have been delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown, the State Department told Axios. The delays affect deliveries of systems such as Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), Aegis combat platforms, and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) units for countries including Denmark, Croatia, and Poland. Many of these exports were expected to support Ukraine’s defense efforts. The slowdown stems from furloughs and limited staffing at the State Department, particularly within the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which is responsible for processing arms sales and briefing Congress as required under the Arms Export Control Act. Only about a quarter of the bureau’s staff were working last month. Over $5 billion in US arms exports to NATO allies including Denmark, Croatia and Poland have been held up by the 40-day government shutdown, a senior State Department official told Axios. https://t.co/NtDAy59N1C — Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) November 9, 2025 Officials warned that the delays are hurting both US defense contractors and allied nations. Republican lawmakers criticized Democrats for prolonging the shutdown, arguing that the pause in arms exports undermines US and NATO security while benefiting adversaries such as China and Russia.   Ukrainian Strikes Cut Power in Russian Border Cities as Both Sides Target Energy Infrastructure Ukrainian drone and missile strikes disrupted power and heating in the Russian cities of Voronezh and Belgorod, local officials said Sunday, amid escalating cross-border attacks on energy infrastructure. Fires broke out at utility sites after drones hit Voronezh overnight, while a missile strike damaged Belgorod’s power grid, affecting about 20,000 homes. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 44 Ukrainian drones over several southwestern regions but did not mention the two cities. Ukrainian drones struck a thermal power plant in Voronezh overnight, causing major disruptions to heating and electricity across the city. In Belgorod, a missile strike also led to severe damage to energy and heating infrastructure, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. pic.twitter.com/R1AVZaaXdo — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) November 9, 2025 In Ukraine, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Moscow of endangering nuclear safety by striking substations supplying power to the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear plants. He called for an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warning that the attacks were deliberate. Meanwhile, the Kremlin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the global nuclear test ban despite President Vladimir Putin’s order to explore resuming atomic tests. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said he was open to meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the war and bilateral relations, while maintaining that peace talks must address Russian security demands.   Zelenskyy Seeks 25 US Patriot Systems as Russia Intensifies Strikes on Ukraine’s Power Grid Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday he wants to order 25 US-made Patriot air defense systems to protect Ukraine from escalating Russian missile and drone attacks that have crippled the country’s power grid and triggered rolling blackouts. Acknowledging the high cost and long production time, Zelenskyy urged European allies to transfer their Patriots to Ukraine immediately and await replacements, saying his country “cannot wait.” The request comes as Russia intensifies targeted strikes on regional substations and switchyards, leaving much of Ukraine facing scheduled power outages. The Energy Ministry urged citizens to conserve electricity as winter approaches. Zelenskyy said Germany recently supplied additional Patriots, though Ukraine’s overall air defenses remain overstretched. 🇺🇦🇺🇸 Zelensky: Today we want to order 25 Patriot systems in the USA. For us, this is a clear budget, and we understand what money it is, we are missing some elements in this contract. Here we can be helped by European colleagues who can now give us their systems, and then take… pic.twitter.com/fioFk3nm3C — The Ukrainian Review (@UkrReview) November 10, 2025 On the front lines, Ukrainian forces are bracing for a renewed Russian offensive around Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region, where about 170,000 Russian troops have reportedly massed. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted a brief lull in fighting but warned that Russian attacks are likely to increase in the coming days.   US Offers Support to Lebanon’s Army for Disarmament Plan Amid Hezbollah Tensions US officials told Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that Washington is ready to support Lebanon’s army in implementing a long-delayed plan to disarm militant groups, according to Lebanon’s state news agency. The initiative, first announced in August, seeks to extend state control across the country and end the armed activities of factions such as Hezbollah. The US delegation, led by Treasury official Sebastian Gorka, met Aoun near Beirut and pledged to help stabilize security in southern Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have intensified. Aoun, who took office in January following a US- and French-brokered ceasefire that ended a two-month war between Israel and Hezbollah, urged international pressure on Israel to stop its ongoing attacks. He said Israeli compliance with the truce is necessary for Lebanese forces to deploy along the border and enforce the disarmament plan. 🇺🇸🇱🇧 U.S OFFERS HELP TO DISARM HEZBOLLAH AS LEBANON STRUGGLES TO IMPLEMENT PLAN Washington says it’s ready to back Lebanon’s army in a long-delayed push to disarm Hezbollah and take control of its own territory. The pledge came as Israel continues airstrikes on Hezbollah… https://t.co/1ODbYAw0U3 pic.twitter.com/VswoqWWMxc — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 10, 2025 US envoy Tom Barrack said the Lebanese government has struggled to seize Hezbollah’s weapons, as the group refuses to disarm while citing Israeli “aggression.” The stalemate has raised concerns of renewed fighting in Lebanon and jeopardized the fragile Gaza ceasefire, part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to end conflicts involving Israel and Iranian-backed groups.   Syria’s New Leader Visits Washington, Pushes to End Sanctions and Join US-Led Anti-IS Coalition Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in Washington for a landmark visit, marking the first by a Syrian leader since the country’s independence in 1946. The former al-Qaeda fighter turned head of state, who led the rebellion that ousted Bashar Assad last December, is expected to meet President Donald Trump on Monday to formalize Syria’s entry into the US-led coalition against the Islamic State group. The visit follows Trump’s decision to lift decades-old sanctions and signals a major shift in US-Syria relations. Al-Sharaa’s government is pushing for a full repeal of the Caesar Act, which imposed sweeping sanctions over human rights abuses under Assad. While the UN and the US have already lifted sanctions on al-Sharaa personally, congressional approval is required to permanently remove the Caesar measures. Lawmakers remain divided, with some Republicans demanding conditions tied to human rights and regional stability. Syria’s president has arrived in Washington for a landmark series of meetings. Once an extremist who fought US troops in Iraq, Ahmed al Sharaa now leads the country trying to get back on its feet. Sky’s @alexrossiSKY reports.https://t.co/w3LkKLsFH0 pic.twitter.com/Ybiydw4uiG — Sky News (@SkyNews) November 10, 2025 Supporters of the repeal argue that the Assad-era sanctions now hinder Syria’s recovery and deter foreign investment. Critics, however, point to continued sectarian violence and abuses by pro-government forces. Al-Sharaa’s US visit comes as his administration seeks legitimacy abroad and deeper military cooperation with Washington to prevent an Islamic State resurgence in Syria.   Israel Recovers Soldier’s Remains from Gaza as Kushner Pushes Ceasefire Efforts Israel recovered the remains of Hadar Goldin, a soldier killed in 2014 and long held by Hamas in Gaza, marking a key moment in the US-brokered truce that has slowed amid ongoing clashes and hostage negotiations. Goldin’s body was returned nearly a decade after he was captured during the Gaza war, with Israeli officials confirming his death years earlier based on evidence found in a tunnel. The remains were carried to Israel’s forensic institute as crowds gathered to pay their respects. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the recovery ended years of anguish for Goldin’s family, while the family credited Israel’s military for the return and criticized the government’s handling of the issue. Four hostages from Hamas’s October 2023 attack remain unaccounted for in Gaza. After 11 years, Hadar Goldin has finally been returned to his family. He was killed Aug 1, 2014, in Rafah, during a Hamas attack hours into a UN-brokered humanitarian ceasefire. I had the privilege of meeting his mother, Leah, whose resilience is an inspiration. The Goldin… pic.twitter.com/BrFeKIBcrQ — Ambassador Mike Waltz (@USAmbUN) November 9, 2025 Meanwhile, US adviser Jared Kushner returned to Israel to help advance ceasefire negotiations under Washington’s 20-point peace plan. He is reportedly mediating discussions on granting safe passage to Hamas fighters in Rafah in exchange for disarmament and hostage releases. Israeli officials denied any new side deals, saying existing agreements must be upheld. In parallel, Israel continues to release the remains of Palestinians in exchange for Israeli hostages. Gaza officials said 300 Palestinian bodies have been returned so far, with 89 identified, as the Gaza death toll surpasses 69,000.   Thailand Threatens to Suspend US-Brokered Ceasefire with Cambodia After Border Land Mine Blast Thailand announced Monday it would suspend all actions under its US-brokered ceasefire with Cambodia following a land mine explosion that injured two Thai soldiers along the border in Sisaket province. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the blast showed continued hostility from Cambodia and ordered a halt to the truce’s implementation until Thailand’s unspecified demands are met. The ceasefire, signed last month during a Malaysia summit after deadly border clashes in July, called for both countries to remove heavy weapons and land mines and for Thailand to release 18 captured Cambodian soldiers. Thai officials said the prisoner release will now be postponed, and the army is investigating whether the mine was newly planted. Thailand’s PM threatens to derail peace deal with Cambodia after border land-mine blast injures two soldiers The move halts a Trump-backed disarmament plan and the release of Cambodian prisoners, jeopardizing the fragile truce reached just a month ago pic.twitter.com/B5n4YdYR4b — RT (@RT_com) November 10, 2025 Thailand has accused Cambodia of violating the truce by laying new mines, while Cambodia insists it remains committed to the agreement and urged Thailand to fulfill its obligations. The truce was originally mediated by Malaysia and pushed through under pressure from US President Donald Trump, who had tied it to trade privileges for both nations.   South Korea’s Ousted President Yoon Faces New Charges Over Alleged Drone Flights Into North Korea Prosecutors in South Korea filed new criminal charges Monday against former President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of ordering drone flights over North Korea in 2024 to provoke tensions and create a pretext for declaring martial law. Yoon, who was impeached and jailed after imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, already faces charges of rebellion and abuse of power. Investigators said Yoon, along with former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun and ex-counterintelligence chief Yeo In Hyung, authorized drone missions over Pyongyang in October 2024. The alleged operations, which North Korea publicly condemned at the time, reportedly aimed to manufacture a security crisis that would justify Yoon’s military takeover. Officials said memos found on Yeo’s phone referenced plans to “create instability” through drone provocations. South Korea indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol for ‘benefiting the enemy’ due to his alleged dispatch of drones to North Korea last year https://t.co/aL80qqQunN pic.twitter.com/3inQPUi9f3 — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) November 10, 2025 Yoon’s legal team has denied his involvement, claiming he was unaware of any drone flights. If convicted of rebellion, Yoon could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. His successor, President Lee Jae Myung, has backed independent probes into Yoon’s actions and alleged corruption within his administration, further deepening South Korea’s political divide.   Sources: News Agencies