Morning Brief: Congress Probes Trump’s Caribbean Ops, Hegseth Backs South Korea’s Defense Spending Boost, Russia Claims Gains in Pokrovsk

— Reiss Center on Law and Security (@RCLS_NYU) October 31, 2025 The debate has reignited calls for a new War Powers Resolution to clarify Congress’s authority over the use of force abroad.   Senate Leaders Signal Possible Breakthrough in 34-Day Government Shutdown After more than a month of a federal government shutdown, Senate leaders from both parties on Monday expressed cautious optimism about finding a path to end the standoff that has halted key programs and left thousands of federal workers unpaid. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Democratic Whip Dick Durbin both said they sensed progress toward an “off-ramp,” though differences remain over funding and the renewal of expiring healthcare subsidies. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins said bipartisan talks over the weekend had made headway, with Democrats offering new compromise language. The shutdown, now in its 34th day, has frozen about $1.7 trillion in discretionary spending and disrupted aid programs, military pay, and airport operations. It’s Day 34 of the Democrat Shutdown — and here’s the simple truth ⤵️ Democrats are LYING when they say Republicans shut down the government. ✅ House Republicans voted to OPEN the government on September 19 with a CLEAN CR funding bill. ❌ Democrats voted to CLOSE it — and… pic.twitter.com/X5IhchqnzR — Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) November 3, 2025 A group of centrist House lawmakers also proposed a temporary healthcare compromise to help break the deadlock.   US Navy Launches App to Give Sailors and Public Easy Access to Official Messages The US Navy has released a new mobile app, MyNavy Messages, that allows sailors, their families, and the public to access official Navy policies and announcements. The app, available for iOS and Android, displays ALNAV and NAVADMIN messages, allows sorting and bookmarking, and includes emergency hotline contacts such as the DOD Safe Helpline and the 988 Lifeline. Developed by the MyNavyHR Digital Transformation Office, the app was created in response to sailors’ requests for easier mobile access to Navy communications during listening sessions held earlier this year. It was officially launched on October 22 after testing by service members. Navy Unveils New App to Transmit Policies to Sailors, Families — USNI Newshttps://t.co/vdQbzjPQZ3 pic.twitter.com/SGxARvArcz — U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) November 3, 2025 Future updates will expand message archives beyond 2025 and include related fact sheets. The Navy will continue to publish messages online, although updates to the MyNavyHR site have been delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown.   US, South Korean Military Chiefs Fly Joint F-16 Formation in Show of Alliance US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine and South Korean counterpart General Jin Yong-sung flew together Monday in a five-ship formation of US and South Korean F-16 fighters, marking the first time the top military officers from both countries have jointly commanded an in-flight formation. The flight, departing from Osan Air Base, followed the 50th US-South Korea Military Committee Meeting in Seoul and symbolized the strength of the alliance, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The formation included both nations’ versions of the F-16 and a South Korean E-737 early warning aircraft. 제57차 한미안보협의회의(SCM) 개최 ✅ 안규백 국방부장관과 피트 헤그세스(Pete B. Hegseth) 미합중국 전쟁부장관은 제57차 한미안보협의회의(SCM : Security Consultative Meeting)를 서울에서 개최했습니다. pic.twitter.com/0dtbo3iHrr — 국방부 (@ROK_MND) November 4, 2025 Caine and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were in South Korea for annual defense talks with their counterparts. They also visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near the Panmunjom truce village, where negotiations to end the Korean War took place.   Hegseth Backs South Korea’s Defense Spending Boost, Calls for Stronger Self-Reliance Against North US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday praised South Korea’s plan to raise its defense budget by 8.2 percent, saying the move will strengthen Seoul’s ability to counter North Korean threats and take greater responsibility for its own defense. After talks in Seoul with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, Hegseth said the allies agreed to expand cooperation on ship maintenance for US warships in South Korea and to maintain readiness amid growing regional challenges. Hegseth emphasized that while the alliance’s focus remains on deterring Pyongyang, it must also be flexible for broader regional contingencies involving China. Ahn reiterated that South Korea will not pursue its own nuclear weapons but will continue working under a framework that integrates US nuclear and South Korean conventional capabilities. The US will look at ‘flexibility’ for American troops stationed in South Korea to operate against regional threats, but the core of the alliance with Seoul will remain focused on deterring North Korea, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said https://t.co/UetwczwVxF pic.twitter.com/bbiEzQ3Qpf — Reuters (@Reuters) November 4, 2025 The meeting ended without a joint statement—an unusual outcome—but both sides said there were no differences in their positions. North Korea did not comment on the talks but fired artillery into western waters shortly before Hegseth’s arrival.   US Submarine Maintenance in Australia Marks Key Step Toward AUKUS Deployment The US Navy submarine USS Vermont (SSN-792) is undergoing major maintenance at Australia’s HMAS Stirling base, marking a milestone in preparations for a multinational rotational force of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS (Australia – United States – United Kingdom) pact. Australia’s Defence Department said the work, coordinated with the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, is more complex than previous maintenance done on the USS Hawaii (SSN-776) last year and will help train Australian personnel and test support systems. The maintenance comes as part of plans to establish Submarine Rotational Force-West by 2027, with one British and four US submarines operating from Stirling. Upgrades worth $5.2 billion are underway at the base, and as many as 9,000 Americans could accompany the deployment. USS Vermont (SSN 792) Virginia-class Block IV nuclear-powered attack submarine coming into HMAS Stirling in Western Australia – October 29, 2025 SRC: INT- cn_aust pic.twitter.com/PED96mJnLK — WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) October 29, 2025 The Vermont’s 134-member crew includes 13 Australian sailors, highlighting growing integration under AUKUS.   Russia Claims Gains in Pokrovsk as Ukraine Says Its Forces Hold Line Russia said Monday that its troops had advanced into the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, capturing parts of the industrial and railway districts after months of fighting. Ukraine disputed the claim, saying its forces still controlled the city and were repelling small Russian assault groups. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Pokrovsk remained under severe pressure but that Russian forces had not made gains in the past day. He also described the nearby front in Dobropillia as “complicated,” with Moscow reinforcing its troops. If Russia captures Pokrovsk, it would mark its most significant territorial gain since taking Avdiivka in early 2024, positioning its forces to move toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Update from the Pokrovsk direction: The battle for Pokrovsk is approaching its end as the parts of the city begin to come under Russian control. In the northern part of the city, Russian forces established control over new positions in the northernmost residential… pic.twitter.com/E8iQdlzbgA — AMK Mapping 🇳🇿 (@AMK_Mapping_) November 4, 2025 The battle comes as the war nears its fourth year with stalled peace talks and both sides claiming limited progress.   Ukrainian Drones Strike Deep Inside Russia Ukraine launched long-range drone attacks deep inside Russia on Tuesday, targeting an industrial plant in Sterlitamak, about 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) from the border, as heavy fighting continued for control of the eastern city of Pokrovsk. Russian officials said two drones were shot down with no casualties, though an explosion damaged part of the Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant’s water treatment facility. Explosions were also reported in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where key refineries are located. Ukrainian drones struck the Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant in Bashkortostan, over 700 miles from Ukraine. The facility, a major hub for refined oil products and synthetic rubber, is now burning. Multiple explosions were confirmed by local authorities, dealing a serious blow to… pic.twitter.com/1tx7KsYwKX — NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) November 4, 2025 Russia claimed to have intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones overnight while launching its own large-scale strikes on Ukraine, including 130 drones and seven missiles. One person was killed and 11 injured in Dnipropetrovsk. Romania said Russian attacks on Ukraine’s Danube ports triggered air policing missions near its border.   Iranians Mark US Embassy Takeover Anniversary Amid Tensions After June War with Israel Thousands of Iranians rallied Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the 1979 US Embassy takeover in Tehran, the first such commemoration since the US and Israel bombed Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict in June. Crowds chanted anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans, burned flags, and displayed missile mock-ups and centrifuge replicas. ❗️🇮🇷⚔️🇺🇲 – Iran Celebrates Embassy Takeover Anniversary Today, streets across Iranian cities buzzed with celebrations marking the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover. On November 4, 1979, Iranian students loyal to Ayatollah Khomeini stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seizing control… pic.twitter.com/gQZ2RzMnvk — 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) November 4, 2025 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruled out any move to normalize relations with Washington, while Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf accused the US and Israel of trying to weaken Iran by killing its scientists. The June conflict left nearly 1,100 Iranians dead and prompted Tehran to suspend nuclear monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran, which now holds uranium enriched up to 60 percent, faces renewed United Nations sanctions over its nuclear program, further deepening tensions with the West.   UN Chief Warns Sudan War ‘Spiraling Out of Control’ After Paramilitary Seizes Darfur City UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned Tuesday that Sudan’s war is “spiraling out of control” after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured the Darfur city of el-Fasher following an 18-month siege. Speaking at a summit in Qatar, Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire, saying hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped without food or aid and that there are “credible reports” of mass executions, ethnic killings, and sexual assaults. The RSF has denied committing atrocities, but evidence from survivors, videos, and satellite images points to widespread destruction. More than 40,000 people have been killed since the conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s military began in April 2023, with over 14 million displaced and famine spreading across multiple regions. More than 62,000 people are believed to have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher after the last stronghold in the Darfur region was taken by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces group. pic.twitter.com/9Nucu2UXAB — The Associated Press (@AP) November 3, 2025 Guterres urged nations to halt arms flows into Sudan and hold perpetrators accountable for war crimes.   Philippine Air Force Helicopter Crashes During Typhoon Rescue A Philippine Air Force Super Huey helicopter carrying five personnel crashed Monday in Agusan del Sur province while en route to assist in typhoon relief operations, the military said. Search efforts are underway, and no details on the crew’s condition or cause of the crash have been released. Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least five people and caused widespread flooding across central provinces. Residents were trapped on rooftops in Cebu, where emergency workers struggled to reach them amid floating debris. More than 387,000 people evacuated before landfall, and over 3,500 ferry passengers were stranded due to suspended sea travel. JUST IN: Initial reports from the field say a helicopter has just crashed in Barangay Sabud, Loreto, Agusan del Sur on Tuesday (Nov. 4, 2025). Authorities are still in the area to conduct further investigation. This is a developing story. (Alexander Lopez/Photos courtesy of… pic.twitter.com/sKnhPEuIH3 — Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) November 4, 2025 Kalmaegi, packing winds of up to 180 kph (112 mph), is expected to move into the South China Sea by Wednesday. The storm comes as Cebu continues to recover from a deadly 6.9 magnitude earthquake in September. The Philippines, hit by about 20 typhoons a year, remains one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.   Sources: News Agencies