Morning Brief: Congress Orders Release of Epstein Files, Saudi Arabia Gains ‘Major Non-NATO Ally’ Status, Romania Scrambles Jets

  Trump Administration Plans Massive Immigration Crackdown in Louisiana About 250 federal border agents will deploy to New Orleans and surrounding areas next month for “Swamp Sweep,” a two-month immigration enforcement operation aimed at arresting roughly 5,000 people across southeast Louisiana and parts of Mississippi, according to internal documents and officials familiar with the plan. Set to begin in early December, the operation represents one of the Trump administration’s largest immigration crackdowns to date and expands a nationwide series of mass deportation efforts. It will be led by Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, known for overseeing aggressive enforcement actions in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Charlotte. Federal agents are expected to stage equipment at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans field office and a nearby naval base. The sweep will cover parishes including Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Tammany, extending north to Baton Rouge. The immigration crackdown dubbed “Swamp Sweep” is expected to begin Dec.1 and aims to arrest roughly 5,000 people across southeast Louisiana. https://t.co/JDiDeeDS7e pic.twitter.com/xpdtFb2hc2 — FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) November 18, 2025 The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment, citing security reasons. The initiative could heighten tensions between the Trump administration and officials in liberal New Orleans, who have historically resisted federal immigration raids, even as Louisiana’s Republican governor, Jeff Landry, aligns closely with the White House’s enforcement agenda.   Mexico Rejects US Military Strikes on Cartels After Trump’s Comments Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday firmly rejected the idea of allowing US military strikes against drug cartels in Mexico, following President Donald Trump’s renewed remarks that he would do “whatever it takes” to stop the flow of drugs into the United States. “It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum said, emphasizing that Mexico will not permit foreign intervention but remains open to intelligence sharing. She said she has conveyed this stance directly to Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who she said “understood” her position. “Last time the United States intervened in Mexico, they took half of our territory” President Sheinbaum said she would not accept “support” from foreign troops, after Trump suggested he would “be proud” to bomb Mexican boats to stop “drug cartels” from coming to the US. pic.twitter.com/aLmsn9vVdM — BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) November 18, 2025 The exchange came as diplomats from both countries investigated a separate incident along the northeast Mexican coast, where contractors working for the US Department of Defense mistakenly placed “restricted area” signs on a beach near the Rio Grande’s mouth. Mexico’s Navy removed the signs, and US officials later attributed the error to shifting river boundaries. The site lies near SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, which works with the Defense Department and NASA. Sheinbaum said the border will be re-demarcated according to treaty procedures and reiterated Mexico’s rejection of any US overreach on its territory.   US Grants Saudi Arabia Major Non-NATO Ally Status Under New Security Deal US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States and Saudi Arabia have entered into a new security agreement designating the Kingdom as a “major non-NATO ally,” a move that deepens defense cooperation and streamlines US weapons transfers. The designation allows Saudi Arabia to store American weapons, bid on Pentagon maintenance contracts, and purchase depleted uranium ammunition, though it does not guarantee US military protection. Trump made the announcement at a White House dinner with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, calling the deal “a stronger and more capable alliance” that would advance peace and regional stability. The crown prince said Saudi investments in the US would rise from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion, highlighting expanding economic and defense ties. President Trump designates Saudi Arabia as a MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY to the United States pic.twitter.com/QFmgfNHvcE — Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) November 19, 2025 The agreement marks a major step in Trump’s push to strengthen relations with Riyadh despite lingering tensions over human rights and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which US intelligence previously linked to the crown prince.   US Airman Admits to Drunk Driving in Deadly German Autobahn Crash A 24-year-old US Airman on trial in Germany admitted through his attorney Tuesday to consuming large amounts of alcohol before a wrong-way crash that killed a 23-year-old German woman and injured two others near Spangdahlem Air Base. The Airman, who served in the base’s fire department, expressed remorse and apologized to the victims’ families during the opening day of the trial in Trier. Prosecutors said the May 3 crash occurred when the airman, driving a Jeep Wrangler, collided head-on with another vehicle while intoxicated, registering a blood alcohol level of 0.14 percent, nearly three times Germany’s legal limit. He reportedly drank tequila, beer, and other alcohol while celebrating promotions with fellow service members. A U.S. airman being tried in the German justice system over a deadly autobahn collision near Spangdahlem Air Base admitted in court Tuesday through his attorney that he had consumed a large quantity of alcohol before the crash. https://t.co/4WWizxiydF — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) November 18, 2025 German authorities chose to retain jurisdiction in the case, an uncommon move under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, citing the seriousness of the offense and multiple victims. The trial is set to continue November 26, with a verdict expected December 3. The Airman remains in US military custody.   US, Poland, and Romania Train With New Counter-Drone System After Airspace Incursions US soldiers are training alongside Polish and Romanian forces on the newly deployed Merops counter-drone system, designed to defend NATO’s eastern flank amid a surge in drone incursions across Europe. The exercises, held in Poland, follow incidents in September when about 20 unmanned aircraft entered Polish airspace and others crossed into Romania. The US-made Merops system, developed by Project Eagle and battle-tested in Ukraine, uses artificial intelligence to detect and destroy drones at a fraction of the cost of traditional air defenses. Each interceptor costs about $15,000 (one-tenth the price of Russia’s Shahed drones) and can operate even when communications are jammed. US Army officials say the technology is vital for defending against swarm attacks and aligns with NATO’s new “Eastern Flank Deterrence Line” strategy of integrating manned and robotic defenses. The 🇺🇸 MEROPS drone interceptor is in service with the Polish Army. This UAV is resistant to EW systems because its terminal guidance is provided by AI-based machine vision. MEROPS is also in service with the ZSU and has intercepted a large number of Geran-2/3 drones. pic.twitter.com/TMFS2o6tRo — 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝕯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝕯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱△ 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇺🇲🇬🇷 (@TheDeadDistrict) November 19, 2025 Polish Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Stanislaw Czosnek said the system fills an urgent gap after recent airspace violations, while Denmark is also planning to purchase the technology. US officials said Merops has accounted for up to 40 percent of Shahed drones downed by Ukrainian forces, highlighting its effectiveness in modern warfare.   Russia Says It Downed Four US-Made Missiles Fired by Ukraine at Voronezh Russia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that its air defenses shot down four US-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) launched by Ukrainian forces at the southern Russian city of Voronezh. The ministry claimed the missiles targeted civilian sites but caused only minor damage to buildings, including a retirement home and an orphanage, with no reported casualties. Moscow said its S-400 and Pantsir systems intercepted all missiles and that debris fell within the city. Russian forces later launched Iskander-M missiles to destroy two Ukrainian rocket launchers allegedly involved in the attack. Ukraine confirmed earlier that it used ATACMS missiles to strike military targets inside Russia, calling it a “significant development.” 🔥🇷🇺 Russian S-400, Pantsir air defense systems SMASH Ukrainian ATACMS attack 4 US-made ATACMS ballistic missiles launched against Russian Voronezh – Defense Ministry Team work in action: recon flight spotted the Kharkov region launch site, prompting an immediate Iskander-M… pic.twitter.com/KS4UeBnLBN — Sputnik (@SputnikInt) November 19, 2025 Kyiv received the long-range US systems in 2023 but had initially been limited to using them on occupied Ukrainian territory. The strike marks the latest escalation following previous ATACMS and Storm Shadow attacks that prompted Russian retaliatory strikes with hypersonic missiles.   Russian Strikes Hit Western Ukraine, Damage Power Facilities in Lviv and Ternopil Explosions struck the western Ukrainian cities of Lviv and Ternopil on Wednesday during a wave of Russian missile and drone attacks targeting the country’s energy infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said. The Energy Ministry reported emergency power outages across multiple regions, while the full extent of the damage remained unclear. In Lviv, a power facility and industrial site were damaged but no casualties were reported, according to regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi. In Ternopil, a residential high-rise was heavily damaged, with images showing flames and thick smoke rising from the upper floors. Tonight’s drone and missile attack by Russia was one of the largest of the war against cities in Western Ukraine, with cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as attack drones, heavily targeting Lviv, Ternopil, and Ivano-Frankivsk, with several drones possibly having entered… pic.twitter.com/QE0PuorGkA — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 19, 2025 Poland temporarily closed its southeastern airports in Rzeszow and Lublin and scrambled Polish and allied aircraft as a precaution after the strikes.   Romania Scrambles Jets After Russian Drone Breaches Airspace Romania scrambled fighter jets early Wednesday after detecting a drone that briefly entered its airspace during a Russian strike on Ukrainian infrastructure near the border, the defense ministry said. Radar tracked the drone about 8 kilometers (5 miles) inside Romania near the villages of Periprava and Chilia Veche in Tulcea County before it disappeared and reappeared intermittently for around 12 minutes in nearby Galati County. Two German Eurofighters and two Romanian F-16s were deployed, and residents in southeastern counties were advised to take cover. No drone debris or impacts were reported. Two German Eurofighter Typhoons and a pair of Romanian F-16s were scrambled this morning from Mihail Kogălniceanu and Câmpia Turzii Air Bases in Romania, after a Russian one-way attack drone violated Romanian Airspace during today’s attack on Ukraine. The drone initially entered… pic.twitter.com/LqYZofFIMu — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 19, 2025 Romania, a NATO and European Union member, has previously found fragments of Russian drones on its territory amid repeated attacks on Ukrainian Danube River ports.   UN Backs US Plan Putting Trump-Led Board in Charge of Postwar Gaza The United Nations Security Council has approved a US-backed plan that would place Gaza under international administration led by President Donald Trump, who would chair a new “Board of Peace” tasked with governing and rebuilding the war-torn territory. The plan grants the board sweeping powers over Gaza’s reconstruction, security, and governance under a renewable two-year UN mandate, supported by an International Stabilization Force to oversee disarmament of Hamas and maintain order. The resolution gives the plan international legitimacy but leaves major questions unresolved, including how Hamas will be disarmed, when Israel will withdraw its troops from roughly half of Gaza, and who will select the Palestinian technocrats to run daily administration. The plan has drawn skepticism from Palestinians, who see little role for self-governance and fear it amounts to foreign occupation. 🔴 The UN Security Council approved a US plan for Gaza that authorises an international stabilisation force and outlines a potential route towards an independent Palestinian state, marking a significant step for the fragile ceasefire after more than two years of war 👇 pic.twitter.com/wZSFePxeVE — FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) November 18, 2025 Hamas has rejected the arrangement, calling it “international guardianship” serving Israeli interests. Arab nations such as Egypt, Indonesia, and Turkey have been mentioned as potential troop contributors, though none have committed. The UN resolution includes only a vague reference to future Palestinian statehood, with progress tied to reforms within the Palestinian Authority and successful demilitarization, conditions that make implementation uncertain and risk further instability in Gaza.   Fire in Southern Japan Kills One, Destroys Over 170 Homes A massive fire swept through a residential area in Oita, southwestern Japan, killing one person, injuring another, and destroying or damaging at least 170 homes, authorities said Wednesday. The blaze began Tuesday evening near a fishing port amid strong winds and spread into nearby forested areas, burning about 12 acres. More than 200 firefighters and two Ground Self-Defense Force helicopters battled the flames for nearly 20 hours before bringing them under control. One man in his 70s was found dead, and a woman in her 50s sustained minor injuries. About 170 residents were forced to evacuate, and roughly 260 homes remained without power. A blaze in Saganoseki, Oita City, has burned over 170 buildings, and a man in his 70s was missing. The fire spread into forests and was still burning over 12 hours later. About 175 people evacuated. The prefecture will turn to a disaster relief law.https://t.co/bZpiKm94yl pic.twitter.com/z1655S9fPZ — NHK WORLD News (@NHKWORLD_News) November 19, 2025 The cause of the fire is under investigation. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed condolences and promised full government support for recovery efforts.   Teen Behind Jakarta Mosque Bombing Drew Inspiration from White Supremacist Groups, Police Say Indonesian police said a 17-year-old student who detonated homemade bombs at a Jakarta school mosque earlier this month was radicalized online through a white supremacist Telegram group and left behind a diary detailing his isolation and plans. The attack during Friday prayers injured 96 people. Authorities said the teenager acted alone, assembling seven bombs from materials bought online using YouTube tutorials. Four devices exploded, while three failed. His diary, titled “Diary Reb,” included sketches of the mosque and a note marking the attack date. Police said he was motivated by loneliness and a desire for recognition in extremist online communities. An Indonesian student suspected of carrying out a bomb attack at his school mosque in Jakarta wrote of feeling isolated in his diary and drew inspiration from a Telegram group glorifying white supremacist attacks https://t.co/MyqmPDkKoR pic.twitter.com/HcfSnjzuTG — Reuters (@Reuters) November 19, 2025 The suspect survived after a suicide device failed to detonate and remains hospitalized. Under Indonesia’s juvenile law, investigators will decide whether he stands trial or is placed under state custody. Officials said the case highlights growing youth radicalization through social media. In a separate incident, police arrested five suspects accused of recruiting over 100 minors into terror networks.   Sources: News Agencies