Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged more US pressure on Moscow, warning that easing it only encourages Putin to delay diplomacy.
Trump, whose stance on Ukraine has shifted multiple times, said decisions about a future meeting with Putin will be made soon.
Pentagon Tightens Control Over Communications With Congress
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg have ordered all Pentagon officials, including the Joint Chiefs chairman, to get approval from the Defense Department’s legislative affairs office before contacting Congress.
The October 15 memo, verified by a Pentagon official, said unauthorized communication could undermine department priorities.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described the change as a “pragmatic step” to ensure accuracy and transparency. The directive centralizes congressional communications that were previously handled independently by military branches.
In yet another unprecedented move in the push to prevent unvetted information from leaving the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg have directed all personnel under the Defense Department — with the exception of the Pentagon’s… pic.twitter.com/olrGgKw7Ag
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 22, 2025
A follow-up memo on October 17 established a working group to refine the guidance.
The move comes amid broader efforts by Hegseth to tighten message control across the department.
Trump Nominee Withdraws After Racist, Offensive Texts Surface
Paul Ingrassia, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, withdrew from consideration after reports revealed he sent offensive text messages, including calling Martin Luther King Jr. Day “hell” and describing himself as having “a Nazi streak.”
His withdrawal came after several Republican senators said they would not support him.
The White House confirmed he is no longer the nominee.
Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, urged Trump to remove Ingrassia from his current post as a liaison at the Department of Homeland Security.
@SenSchumer on Paul Ingrassia: “The president should pull Mr. Ingrassia’s nomination immediately. He should be fired from his current job within the administration, and he should never, never, hold a position of leadership within the Republican Party or the government again.” pic.twitter.com/kGus3AwQaL
— CSPAN (@cspan) October 21, 2025
The Office of Special Counsel investigates whistleblower retaliation and enforces the Hatch Act.
US B-52 Bombers Conduct Strike Drill Near Venezuela Amid Regional Military Buildup
Two US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers carried out an attack demonstration off the coast of Venezuela on October 15, part of a wider US military buildup in the region, Air Forces Southern confirmed.
The exercise, launched from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, aimed to reinforce deterrence against potential threats to the US homeland and regional stability. The same day, US military helicopters — including MH-6 Little Birds and MH-60 Black Hawks — conducted training in Trinidad and Tobago.
We split the individual Sentinel-2 bands out to animate the B-52 flying, but the two planes can also be seen here, appearing three times due to the red, green, and blue bands being captured separately. pic.twitter.com/avXcJvV1Ox
— Thomas Bordeaux (@ThomasBordeaux7) October 15, 2025
The drill coincided with President Donald Trump’s confirmation of covert operations inside Venezuela and his comments that the US is “looking at land” for future actions.
The regional buildup, involving surface ships, an attack submarine, F-35 fighters, and about 10,000 personnel, follows multiple deadly US strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels that have drawn criticism from Congress and the United Nations.
US Army’s Major Hawaii Combat Exercise Proceeds Quietly Amid Federal Shutdown
The US Army’s annual Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) combat training in Hawaii began Tuesday with little public attention as the ongoing federal government shutdown has forced the Defense Department to pause media engagement and furlough civilian public affairs staff.
The 10-day exercise, running through November 17, involves the 25th Infantry Division and validates its 3rd Mobile Brigade under the Army’s “Transforming in Contact” modernization effort.
Despite the lack of publicity, officials confirmed that JPMRC is proceeding across multiple Hawaiian islands, providing realistic battlefield simulations similar to training at Fort Johnson and Fort Irwin.
The division is awaiting Pentagon approval for an exception to publicly share updates about the exercise.
USS George Washington Returns to Japan Early Ahead of Trump Visit
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) returned unexpectedly to its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan, over the weekend, less than three weeks after resuming its annual patrol and just days before President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to Japan.
The Navy provided no explanation for the early return, which came with part of the carrier’s air wing still aboard — an uncommon occurrence during port calls.
US 7th Fleet officials declined to confirm whether the move was connected to Trump’s trip.
The president is expected to visit Japan beginning October 27, following the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, before continuing to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
USS George Washington (CVN 73) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier coming into Yokosuka, Japan – October 18, 2025
SRC: TW-@MICHIYAM pic.twitter.com/nSmMQhoW7i
— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) October 17, 2025
Japanese and US officials are reportedly planning to tour the carrier during the visit, where Trump is expected to address sailors and highlight the US-Japan alliance.
Driver Arrested After Crashing Into White House Security Gate
A man was arrested Tuesday night after ramming his car into a security gate near the White House, the US Secret Service said.
The incident occurred around 10:37 p.m. local time at 17th and E Streets Southwest.
Secret Service officers immediately detained the driver, and a bomb squad later determined the vehicle was safe.
The U.S. Secret Service has released a statement following tonight’s ramming incident at a exterior checkpoint of the White House Complex in Washington, stating: “At approximately 10:37 p.m., an individual drove a vehicle into the Secret Service vehicle gate located at 17th & E… pic.twitter.com/EKoy1Xrelt
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 22, 2025
The investigation is ongoing, and officials said more information will be released once it concludes.
Guatemala Declares Major Gangs Terrorist Groups, Passes Tough New Anti-Gang Law
Guatemala’s Congress passed a new anti-gang law Tuesday designating the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs as terrorist organizations.
The legislation increases prison sentences for gang-related crimes and authorizes construction of a dedicated prison for gang members.
Guatemala passes anti-gang law, declares gangs terrorist groups https://t.co/LpseVy1PZc pic.twitter.com/scfHozmGuw
— The Independent (@Independent) October 22, 2025
The measure followed the recent escape of 20 Barrio 18 inmates, which prompted President Bernardo Arévalo to accept the resignations of three top security officials.
Arévalo said the breakout was a coordinated gang plot against stricter prison conditions.
The Trump administration previously designated both gangs as foreign terrorist organizations, and Guatemala’s move mirrors El Salvador’s hardline approach to gang control.
Russia Launches Massive Airstrike on Ukraine, Killing Six as Trump Delays Putin Meeting
Russia launched a large-scale overnight drone and missile attack across Ukraine on Wednesday, killing at least six people and injuring 18, according to Ukrainian officials.
The strikes targeted energy infrastructure nationwide, causing widespread blackouts in cities including Kyiv, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assault and urged stronger international sanctions on Moscow.
🔴 Russia launched a massive attack against Ukraine overnight, deploying drones and missiles.
Preliminary reports suggest residential areas and energy infrastructure was targeted. pic.twitter.com/FYqVyV5GXb
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) October 22, 2025
The attack followed President Donald Trump’s decision to delay a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing concerns it would be a “waste of time.”
Ukraine’s military said it retaliated by striking a Russian chemical plant in Bryansk that produces ammunition and missile fuel. Meanwhile, Kyiv continues to seek US-made Patriot air defense systems to bolster protection ahead of winter.
Turkey Pushes for Rapid Fighter Jet Deals with Europe and US to Bolster Air Power
Turkey is seeking to accelerate its acquisition of advanced fighter jets from European partners and the US to modernize its air force and counter regional rivals, including Israel.
Ankara is close to finalizing a deal for 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, starting with 12 used aircraft from Qatar and Oman, followed by 28 new ones from Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is also pursuing ways to regain access to US-made F-35s, despite sanctions over Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 systems.
Anxious to bolster its air power, Turkey has proposed to European partners and the US ways it could swiftly obtain advanced fighter jets as it seeks to make up ground on regional rivals such as Israel, sources familiar with the talks say https://t.co/K1Zsc42fcw
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 22, 2025
Officials are exploring a possible US presidential waiver to bypass restrictions under the CAATSA law.
The push comes as Turkey strengthens its defense industry, developing the KAAN stealth fighter and expanding its missile and air-defense systems.
UN Court to Rule on Israel’s Legal Duty to Allow Aid into Gaza and West Bank
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to issue an advisory opinion Wednesday on Israel’s legal obligations to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
The ruling follows Israel’s January ban on UNRWA, the main United Nations agency providing aid to Gaza, and its earlier restrictions on aid shipments that led to famine conditions in parts of the territory.
Israel, which submitted a written response but did not attend hearings, argues the case is biased. The opinion could have broad implications for UN missions globally.
🇮🇱 🇵🇸 The top United Nations court will rule Wednesday on Israel’s obligations towards agencies providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, as aid groups scramble to scale up assistance following a ceasefire.
➡️ https://t.co/K07OIUvlm7 pic.twitter.com/uQcqZj9Jen
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 22, 2025
It comes amid a fragile US-brokered Gaza ceasefire allowing 600 aid trucks daily and ongoing disputes over whether Israel is obstructing aid.
The decision is separate from South Africa’s genocide case against Israel and from International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants accusing Israeli leaders of using starvation as a weapon.
North Korea Fires Short-Range Missiles Ahead of Trump’s Asia Visit
North Korea launched several suspected short-range ballistic missiles from North Hwanghae province on Wednesday morning, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
The missiles flew about 220 miles, and analysts are determining whether they landed in the Sea of Japan.
It marks Pyongyang’s fifth missile test this year and the first since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took office in June.
North Korea fired what appeared to be multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, a week before a key Asia-Pacific leaders’ meeting in South Korea. pic.twitter.com/tpObFqCNCs
— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) October 22, 2025
The launch comes a week before President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Japan and South Korea for the APEC summit in Gyeongju.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently reiterated that he will not abandon his nuclear weapons but remains open to talks with Trump if the US drops its demand for denuclearization.
Sources: News Agencies
Morning Brief: US B-52s Conduct Drill Near Venezuela, Guatemala Labels Major Gangs Terrorists, North Korea Test-Fires Short-Range Missiles
Pentagon tightens message control, B-52s fly near Venezuela, UN to rule on Gaza aid. Here’s your Wednesday morning rundown, October 22, 2025.
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