Evening Brief: Trump Threatens Insurrection Act Deployment, US Seizes Sixth Sanctioned Oil Tanker, Gaza Ceasefire Enters Uncertain Second Phase

Pentagon Moves to Control Stars and Stripes Content, Prompting Press Freedom Concerns The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will take over editorial decision-making for Stars and Stripes, the longtime military newspaper, drawing criticism from lawmakers and press freedom advocates. Sean Parnell, the Defense Department’s top public affairs official, said the move aims to refocus the outlet on warfighting, weapons, and military readiness while eliminating what he described as nonessential content. The announcement challenges a long-standing congressional mandate that guarantees Stars and Stripes editorial independence under First Amendment principles. STATEMENT: The Department of War is returning Stars & Stripes to its original mission: reporting for our warfighters. We are bringing Stars & Stripes into the 21st century. We will modernize its operations, refocus its content away from woke distractions that syphon morale,… — Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) January 15, 2026 Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin said the publication will continue to provide independent, balanced reporting for service members worldwide. Democratic senators warned the shift undermines press freedom and risks turning the outlet into a government messaging platform. The Pentagon did not provide details on how or when the changes would be implemented, but officials indicated active-duty personnel could produce a significant portion of future content.   Admiral Kevin Lunday Assumes Command as 28th Coast Guard Leader Admiral Kevin Lunday formally took command of the US Coast Guard on Thursday during a ceremony in Washington, becoming the service’s 28th commandant. Lunday, a national security lawyer and judge advocate with nearly four decades of service, assumed the role after serving as acting commandant since January following the dismissal of Admiral Linda Fagan. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem presided over the event and said the Trump administration expects Lunday to lead a broad modernization effort across the service. President Trump’s plan was simple when he became President of the United States. He wanted to revitalize the Coast Guard, equip it with the best technology, ships, and aircraft available, and then recruit the men and women that were necessary to run it all. It’s a tall order, and… pic.twitter.com/546ikpoHYj — Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 15, 2026 Lunday highlighted a $25 billion capital investment approved by Congress to fund new ships, aircraft, infrastructure, and technology as part of that effort. His appointment follows Senate confirmation after earlier concerns over workplace policy revisions were resolved, and he pledged to rebuild and strengthen the Coast Guard as a more capable and responsive force.   US Forces Seize Sixth Sanctioned Oil Tanker in Caribbean Under Southern Spear US Marines, sailors, and Coast Guard personnel seized the oil tanker Veronica in the Caribbean Sea on Thursday during a predawn operation under Operation Southern Spear, US Southern Command and the Department of Homeland Security said. Forces launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and boarded the Guyana-flagged vessel without incident to enforce US President Donald Trump’s quarantine on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, officials said. The Veronica is the sixth such ship seized in recent weeks as part of intensified US efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports and block vessels operating in defiance of sanctions tied to Caracas. Through #OpSouthernSpear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with @USCG through @DHSgov and @TheJusticeDept. In another pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear,… pic.twitter.com/brxO9xXUu3 — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 15, 2026 Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the operation complied with international law and praised the Coast Guard’s execution. The tanker last transmitted its location off Aruba and was believed to be carrying crude, according to maritime data; it has previous connections to Russian management and sanctions lists.   Cuba Holds Mass Funeral for 32 Officers Killed in US Raid on Venezuela Cuba held a rare mass funeral Thursday in Havana for 32 Cuban military officers killed during a January 3 US raid on Venezuela that captured former President Nicolás Maduro. The remains arrived by plane at Havana’s airport, where Cuban soldiers, government leaders, and thousands of civilians took part in a solemn procession and ceremony. The officers, ages 26 to 60, served as part of Maduro’s security detail under bilateral protection agreements between Cuba and Venezuela. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and former President Raúl Castro attended as officials denounced the United States and framed the deaths as part of a broader anti-imperialist struggle. The remains of 32 Cuban military officers killed during a U.S. strike in Venezuela were flown back to Havana today, where thousands lined the streets to pay their respects. The officers had been part of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s security detail. pic.twitter.com/O9V3yODusk — Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) January 15, 2026 The funeral unfolded amid sharply rising US-Cuba tensions, with US President Donald Trump warning Havana to strike a deal with Washington and threatening an end to Venezuelan oil supplies, even as the US announced limited humanitarian aid following a major hurricane.   Kremlin Backs Trump Claim That Ukraine Is Stalling Peace Talks The Kremlin said Thursday it agrees with US President Donald Trump’s assertion that Ukraine is delaying a peace deal to end Russia’s nearly four-year war against its neighbor. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov endorsed Trump’s comments, made in an interview published Wednesday, that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is obstructing US-led negotiations. Russia AGREES with Trump that Zelensky’s blocking peace progress ‘It is LONG past TIME for Zelensky to take responsibility and make the appropriate decision’ — Kremlin spox Peskov ‘Russian side maintains its openness’ pic.twitter.com/cvvsXrGEuS — RT (@RT_com) January 15, 2026 The remarks deepen divisions between Washington and European allies, who continue to accuse Russia of stalling talks while pressing its military offensive and striking Ukrainian cities. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow requires security guarantees as part of any agreement and will continue pursuing its objectives without them. Ukrainian officials and European leaders rejected the Kremlin’s position, as fighting continued and Russia launched new drone attacks, underscoring how far apart the two sides remain in negotiations.   Israeli Strikes Kill Eight in Gaza as Ceasefire Enters Uncertain Second Phase Israeli airstrikes killed eight people in central Gaza on Thursday, a day after the United States announced the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas would move into its second phase. The strikes, which hit multiple locations, came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu downplayed the significance of the announcement, calling elements of the next phase largely symbolic and raising doubts about implementation. The second phase is meant to address tougher issues, including Gaza’s postwar governance, disarming Hamas, returning hostages, and launching reconstruction. FACTBOX – 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire agreement begins, outlining political, security steps 🔹 The Gaza ceasefire has entered a more complex second phase after nearly two years of war 🔹 The new stage seeks lasting political and security arrangements, including disarmament,… pic.twitter.com/7TVjm13MXV — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 15, 2026 Palestinians on the ground said continued attacks and shortages of food, fuel, and shelter cast doubt on whether the ceasefire will improve daily life. The war, triggered by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, has killed more than 71,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, and left Gaza facing years of rebuilding as diplomacy struggles to keep pace with ongoing violence.   Myanmar Military Claims Largest-Ever Drug Bust in Northern Shan State Myanmar’s military government announced Thursday that it seized what it described as the country’s largest-ever cache of illicit drugs and drug-making equipment during raids in northern Shan state earlier this month. Authorities said security forces carried out the operation from January 8 to Janauary 12, targeting drug production sites and online scam centers in Mongyai township, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) northeast of Mandalay. Officials reported that raids on at least four facilities uncovered large-scale production of heroin, methamphetamine, and crystal meth, along with industrial equipment used to manufacture them. The military said the sites may have served as central hubs for drug trafficking routes extending to neighboring countries, with links to armed groups operating in conflict zones. Myanmar’s junta said on January 14, 2026, that authorities have seized three village-sized meth labs that were controlled by rebels in a record-breaking drug bust in the northeastern Shan state. pic.twitter.com/tfkqiTxGUL — South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) January 15, 2026 The announcement comes amid ongoing civil war following the 2021 military takeover, which the United Nations says has fueled Myanmar’s role as the world’s leading methamphetamine producer and driven opium cultivation to a decade high.   Sources: News Agencies