Evening Brief: Indiana Sends 300 Guard Troops to D.C., Army Orders Daily Check-Ins to Curb Suicides, Top Army Leaders Hold Secret Talks in Ukraine

The announcement follows political tension between Braun and Trump over stalled efforts to redraw Indiana’s congressional districts.   US Army Orders Daily Check-Ins to Curb Holiday Suicides US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has directed all unit leaders to personally contact their soldiers every day through January 15 to help prevent suicides during the holiday season, a period historically linked to higher self-harm rates. In a service-wide memo, Driscoll instructed officers and noncommissioned officers to call, text, or visit each soldier daily to assess their well-being, emphasizing that the initiative is “not performative” but essential. The policy follows the 11th Airborne Division’s success at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, where consistent leader outreach led to more than a year without a suicide. This holiday season, some Soldiers are carrying more than we know. From now through 15 January, leaders will check in on every Soldier, every day. Call, text, or visit—just pick up and reach out. If you need help now, dial 988 and press 1. pic.twitter.com/aYGqTvTWQz — Secretary of the Army (@SecArmy) November 19, 2025 Despite recent prevention efforts, the Army reported 289 suicides in 2023, with preliminary data showing a decline to 260 last year. Driscoll urged troops to respond to leaders’ calls and seek help when needed, reinforcing that “seeking help is not weakness.” He reminded soldiers that immediate assistance is available by dialing 988 and pressing 1 for the Military Crisis Line.   Admiral Wikoff Takes Command of US Naval Forces Europe-Africa Admiral George Wikoff assumed command of US Naval Forces Europe-Africa and NATO’s Joint Force Command Naples on Wednesday, succeeding Admiral Stuart Munsch during a ceremony at the alliance’s base in Naples, Italy. Wikoff, a career fighter pilot who previously led US 5th Fleet during heightened tensions in the Middle East, steps into the role as NATO faces escalating challenges from Russia, China, and regional instability. Presiding officers General Alexus Grynkewich and General Dagvin Anderson praised Wikoff’s decisive leadership style, describing him as fast-moving and action-driven. They also commended Munsch, a submariner who helped modernize US and NATO operations through innovation and integration of autonomous systems. Allied Joint Force Command Naples holds its 33rd Change of Command ceremony at headquarters in Lago Patria, Italy, November 19, 2025. (JFC Naples) Munsch, who has served 40 years in the Navy, received the NATO Meritorious Medal, the Legion of Merit, and Italy’s Meritorious Medal during the ceremony.   Top US Army Leaders Visit Ukraine for Secret Talks on Ending War with Russia US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff General Randy George are in Ukraine this week for unannounced talks aimed at advancing efforts to end the country’s war with Russia, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and Politico. The visit, ordered by President Donald Trump, is expected to focus on potential peace negotiations and a deal involving drone technology cooperation between the US and Ukraine. The meetings in Kyiv come as Ukraine faces intensified Russian drone attacks and growing manpower shortages on the front lines. As Russia once again hammers Ukraine tonight with dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, alongside hundreds of attack drones, both U.S. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George are in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, expecting to meet… pic.twitter.com/442FV1FjfK — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 19, 2025 Axios reported that US and Russian officials are drafting a 28-point peace plan that includes security guarantees for Ukraine, though territorial issues remain unresolved. At the same time, Washington approved a potential $105 million sale of Patriot air defense system sustainment equipment to Ukraine and facilitated its first US-sourced liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment through Lithuania to help stabilize Ukraine’s energy supply.   US Approves $105 Million Sale to Upgrade Ukraine’s Patriot Missile Systems The US government has approved a potential $105 million sale to help Ukraine maintain and upgrade its Patriot air defense systems, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced this week. The package includes upgrading M901 launchers to the newer M903 configuration, spare parts, training, and technical support. The M903 system enhances compatibility with advanced Patriot missiles such as the PAC-3 MSE, which offers improved interception capability. RTX Corporation and Lockheed Martin will serve as the principal contractors, with additional US personnel deployed to assist in training and implementation. The sale aims to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian air attacks and enhance its long-term self-sustainment capacity. The U.S. has approved a $105 million sale to Ukraine for sustaining and upgrading its PATRIOT air defense systems. The package includes launcher upgrades, spare parts, training, and support services. pic.twitter.com/KJSoCUMgPT — NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) November 18, 2025 The deal follows Ukraine’s signing of a letter of intent with France to purchase Rafale fighter jets, drones, and air defense systems over the next decade. It also comes as Ukraine deploys additional US-made Patriot systems received from Germany, part of ongoing NATO-coordinated efforts to bolster Kyiv’s air defenses nearly four years into Russia’s invasion.   Russian Strikes Kill 25 in Western Ukraine as Zelenskyy Seeks Turkish Support for Peace Push At least 25 people, including three children, were killed and 73 others injured after a Russian drone and missile attack struck residential buildings in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, authorities said Wednesday. The nighttime barrage, one of the deadliest in months, hit two apartment blocks and left 24 people unaccounted for. Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting most of the 476 drones and 48 missiles launched, with Western-supplied F-16 and Mirage-2000 jets downing at least 10 cruise missiles. Footage of a Russian air-launched cruise missile slamming into an apartment block this morning in the Western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, killing at least 25, including 3 children, and causing injuries to nearly 100 others. pic.twitter.com/QlVjnO8LGw — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 19, 2025 The attack coincided with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan aimed at rallying diplomatic pressure on Russia. Both leaders voiced support for a peaceful resolution to the war, while the US prepared new sanctions targeting Russia’s oil sector. Meanwhile, Romania and Poland scrambled fighter jets after a Russian drone briefly entered NATO airspace during the assault. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it targeted Ukrainian energy and defense infrastructure in retaliation for strikes on its territory.   Israel Launches Heavy Airstrikes in Lebanon After Deadly Drone Attack; 25 Killed in Gaza Israel carried out extensive airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting what it described as Hezbollah weapons sites after a drone strike earlier in the day killed one person and injured 11 others, including students on a nearby bus. The strikes hit several villages and followed Tuesday’s bombing of the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp that left 13 dead, the deadliest attack in Lebanon since the ceasefire that ended last year’s Israel-Hezbollah war. Israel said the targets were Hezbollah facilities embedded among civilians, accusing the group of rebuilding its forces in violation of the truce. 🎯STRUCK: Several weapons storage facilities belonging to Hezbollah’s rocket unit in the heart of a civilian population in southern Lebanon. This is yet another example of Hezbollah’s cynical use of Lebanese civilians as human shields and constitutes a violation of the… pic.twitter.com/Dj2dJmHpLq — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 19, 2025 Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes killed at least 25 Palestinians and wounded 77, with casualties coming from Gaza City, Khan Younis, and the Muwasi displacement camp. Israel said the attacks responded to militants firing on its troops, while Hamas condemned the strikes as a “shocking massacre.” The violence underscores rising regional tensions as both sides accuse each other of violating ceasefire terms and as US pressure mounts on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah.   Iran Releases Seized Oil Tanker and Crew After Offloading Cargo Iran released the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Talara and its 21 crew members on Wednesday, five days after seizing the vessel without explanation in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker’s management company, Cyprus-based Columbia Shipmanagement, confirmed that the crew is safe and that the ship has resumed normal operations. Tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press indicated the vessel was sailing away from Iran and that its cargo of high-sulfur gasoil had been offloaded before the release. Iran releases tanker Talara after brief detention The crude #oil tanker Talara has been released by Iranian authorities after being detained on 14 November, reportedly on suspicion of smuggling 30,000 tons of petrochemicals. The Marshall Islands–flagged vessel was intercepted by… pic.twitter.com/vB3CJAN8La — MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) November 19, 2025 The seizure marked Iran’s first in months amid heightened regional tensions following its June war with Israel and ongoing disputes over its nuclear program. Tehran did not comment on the release. The Talara was en route from Ajman, United Arab Emirates, to Singapore when seized. The incident adds to a history of Iranian maritime confrontations, including tanker seizures in 2022 and 2024, and attacks blamed on Iran since the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. The Red Sea shipping crisis caused by Iran-backed Houthi attacks has further strained regional trade routes.   Myanmar Expands Cybercrime Crackdown, Detains Hundreds in Second Major Raid Myanmar’s military government widened its crackdown on online scam operations, raiding a second major compound near the Thai border and detaining 346 foreigners, state media reported Wednesday. Authorities seized nearly 10,000 mobile phones and other equipment during the raid in Shwe Kokko, a hub for cyberfraud networks that lure victims worldwide with fake investment and romance scams. The operation follows last month’s raid on the nearby KK Park complex, where more than 1,500 workers from about two dozen countries fled into Thailand. Myanmar’s military says it raided another Thailand-border scam center, detaining nearly 350 people in its ongoing crackdown on a major cyberfraud network. Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/LWoNSpkJSh pic.twitter.com/v8FZfBpqqO — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) November 19, 2025 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that scam centers across Southeast Asia generate nearly $40 billion annually. Myanmar’s Army, aided by the military-backed Border Guard Force, said it aims to “eradicate scam activities from their roots,” though critics accuse the regime of staging raids and protecting ringleaders. The area remains contested between the junta and ethnic Karen militias, including the Karen National Union, which denies involvement in the scams. The junta highlighted China’s cooperation in the crackdown amid international criticism of its human rights record and ongoing civil conflict.   China’s Premier Visits Zambia to Launch $1.4 Billion Railway Upgrade Amid US Rivalry Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Zambia on Wednesday for a two-day visit centered on a $1.4 billion project to modernize the Tazara railway, a key transport route linking Zambia’s copper mines to Tanzania’s port of Dar es Salaam. Li, China’s second-highest official after President Xi Jinping, is scheduled to meet Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday to sign agreements launching the railway’s refurbishment, led by the state-owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. Chinese Premier Li Qiang visits Zambia, marking the first visit in 28 years as Zambia recovers from financial distress. China aims to deepen ties with Zambia, a copper-rich nation, to secure commodity access and expand markets. China is Zambia’s largest official creditor, with… pic.twitter.com/DeJzO656WK — Business Insider Africa (@BusInsiderSSA) November 19, 2025 The 1970s-era Tazara line, originally built to bypass apartheid-era trade routes, has regained strategic importance as China and the United States compete for access to Africa’s critical minerals. Washington is backing a separate westward railway project linking Zambia and Congo to Angola’s Atlantic coast, seen as a rival to Beijing’s eastward route. China remains the dominant force in mining across Zambia and Congo, while the US, under President Donald Trump, is seeking to expand its own mineral supply chains. Li’s stop in Zambia precedes his attendance at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, which the US is boycotting amid tensions with South Africa’s government.   Sources: News Agencies