Evening Brief: Senator Mark Kelly Sues Pentagon, U-Haul Truck Plows Into Pro-Iran Protest in Los Angeles, Cuba Says No US Negotiations Under Way

Scott Moreland Named Army CID Director After Two Decades Inside Agency The US Army on Monday appointed Scott Moreland, an Air Force veteran and longtime Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) official, as the agency’s director, making him only the second civilian to hold the post. Moreland, who joined Army CID in 2004 and most recently oversaw its Investigations and Operations Directorate, takes over following the retirement of Gregory Ford, who led a major civilian-led restructuring after a 2020 review tied to the killing of Specialist Vanessa Guillen at Fort Hood. The leadership change comes as Army CID continues reforms aimed at improving oversight, staffing, and investigative effectiveness in serious crimes involving soldiers. Officials said Moreland’s internal experience positions him to continue modernizing the agency while supporting its felony-level criminal investigations and protection missions.   US Lawmakers Head to Denmark to Reassure Allies Amid Trump’s Greenland Threats A bipartisan group of US lawmakers will travel to Copenhagen later this week to signal unity with Denmark as US President Donald Trump continues to press for US control of Greenland. Led by Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, the delegation will meet Danish government officials and business leaders on Friday and Saturday to reinforce ties strained by Trump’s repeated statements that the United States must acquire the semiautonomous Arctic territory, by deal or by force. Denmark warns it faces a ‘fateful moment’ after Trump threatens to take control of Greenland ⤵️ •⁠ ⁠Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says US threats against an ally risk breaking the foundations of NATO •⁠ ⁠⁠If America turns its back on the Western alliance, everything… pic.twitter.com/iVbfZJ2LLD — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 12, 2026 The visit comes as Denmark and Greenland publicly reject US claims and warn that a takeover would undermine NATO, while China cautions Washington against using Beijing as justification for its Greenland ambitions.   Driver Detained After U-Haul Plows Into Pro-Iran Protest in Los Angeles Los Angeles police detained a man Monday after he drove a U-Haul truck into a crowd of demonstrators in Westwood who were rallying in support of protests in Iran. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon along Veteran Avenue, where a large group had gathered in the city’s Iranian American hub, injuring one person and prompting two others to seek medical evaluation. Authorities said they are investigating the episode as a possible assault with a deadly weapon and have not yet identified the driver or determined a motive. The truck, which displayed a political banner referencing Iran’s history and US involvement, was stopped several blocks away after demonstrators confronted the driver. WATCH: Furious crowd pulls truck driver from his vehicle, smashes it after he mows into protesters in Los Angeles, California, at least 1 injured https://t.co/SFdDDOSP6j pic.twitter.com/MpMcGJXX9z — Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) January 12, 2026 The incident unfolded amid escalating unrest in Iran, where protests over economic conditions and government repression have drawn international attention.   Cuba Says No US Negotiations Under Way After Trump Threats Over Venezuela Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Monday that his government is not holding talks with the United States, responding to comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting possible negotiations after a US attack on Venezuela and pressure on Cuba to “make a deal.” Díaz-Canel posted on X that relations with Washington must be based on international law, sovereign equality, and mutual respect, and stressed that only technical migration talks exist between the two governments. The President @DiazCanelB stated today that there are only talks with the United States from the point of view of migration and denied points presented by the Trump administration regarding #Cuba. pic.twitter.com/jbLnYUN8SP — EmbaCubaAustria (@EmbaCubaAustria) January 12, 2026 The remarks followed Trump’s statement that Cuba’s oil and funding from Venezuela would end and his urging for a deal “before it is too late,” as tensions escalate between the US and Cuba amid regional instability. Cuban officials reiterated their willingness to engage in dialogue on equal terms but rejected coercion and threats from the US administration.   Residents Return to Aleppo After Syrian Forces Retake Kurdish Areas Hundreds of displaced residents returned Monday to Kurdish-majority neighborhoods in Aleppo after Syrian government forces regained control following days of heavy fighting with Kurdish-led forces. The clashes, which began January 6 after talks stalled over integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the national army, killed at least 23 people and forced tens of thousands to flee from Achrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, and Bani Zeid. Government security forces secured the areas as buses transported families back, while crews cleared explosives and war damage. 📹 Anadolu reports from the ground as residents return home after the YPG/SDF terrorist organization was cleared from Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in Aleppo 🗣️ ‘Thank God that after we were freed from the oppressive and tyrannical Assad regime, we were also freed… pic.twitter.com/QZ40Oaji78 — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 12, 2026 Although many Kurdish fighters withdrew under a negotiated deal, tensions remain high as both sides traded accusations of military buildups east of Aleppo.   US, South Korea Form Permanent Ground Command in Shift Toward Wartime Control Transfer The United States and South Korea have established a permanent Combined Ground Component Command to strengthen joint defense readiness and advance Seoul’s plan to assume wartime operational control of allied forces, South Korean defense officials said Monday. Approved in October by the bilateral Permanent Military Committee, the command allows US and South Korean troops to operate together on combined ground staffs during peacetime, improving coordination, training, and equipment interoperability. Led by South Korean Ground Operations Commander Joo Seoung-un, the new structure supports the long-delayed transition under which a South Korean general would command allied forces during war. Permanent US-South Korea ground command marks step toward wartime handoverhttps://t.co/3qezTtGApg — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) January 12, 2026 The move follows years of assessments and comes as both allies prepare for major joint exercises, including the Freedom Shield drill scheduled for March.   Japan Debuts Robodogs in Multinational Airborne Drill Near Tokyo Japanese soldiers deployed four-legged robotic vehicles for the first time during annual airborne training on Sunday in Chiba prefecture, as part of a multinational exercise involving US forces and troops from 13 other countries. The robots, used by Japan’s 1st Airborne Brigade, landed by helicopter alongside paratroopers and maneuvered during live demonstrations observed by about 10,000 spectators and senior defense officials. Manufactured by US-based Ghost Robotics, the machines have previously supported disaster response operations in Japan and are designed for rugged military environments. 🤖🇯🇵 Japan deploys robotic dogs during airborne assault drill, showcasing how AI-driven ground robots are being integrated into modern battlefield operations. The future of warfare is walking, and it’s unmanned. pic.twitter.com/jomVmlEBOM — Defence Index (@Defence_Index) January 11, 2026 The drill, held near Tokyo and ongoing since 1974, highlighted Japan’s push to integrate advanced technology into joint military training while strengthening cooperation with allied and partner nations.   Sources: News Agencies