Dec 01 Watch 6:15 'That 2nd strike was a violation of the laws of war,' former senior military lawyer says By Geoff Bennett, Dan Sagalyn For perspective on the U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats and the legal concerns, Geoff Bennett spoke with retired Maj. Gen. Steven Lepper. He served as the Air Force's Deputy Judge Advocate General, and as such, was the service's… Continue watching
Dec 01 What the law says about killing survivors of a boat strike, according to experts By Ben Finley, Associated Press Leveling a second strike on the survivors of an initial attack on an alleged drug boat would have been a crime, legal experts say. Continue reading
Dec 01 WATCH: 'I am not going to be silenced.' Sen. Kelly denounces 'bullying' by Trump, Hegseth By Ben Finley, Gary Fields, Associated Press President Donald Trump has accused Kelly and the five other Democratic lawmakers in the video of sedition "punishable by DEATH."… Continue reading
Dec 01 WATCH: White House insists alleged drug boat attack was lawful, confirms second strike By Aamer Madhani, Associated Press White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a justification for the Sept. 2 strike after lawmakers from both parties on Sunday announced support for congressional reviews of U.S. military strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean Sea… Continue reading
Nov 26 Dominican Republic grants U.S. access to restricted areas for its fight against drug trafficking By Dánica Coto, Associated Press It is the first major public agreement that the U.S. has struck with a Caribbean nation as it seeks friendly allies to support its attacks against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the region and beyond. Continue reading
Nov 25 Top U.S. military officials will visit Caribbean leaders as Trump weighs next steps By Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will travel to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and meet Wednesday with the country’s top leaders, the Pentagon said Tuesday. Continue reading
Nov 24 Democratic senators ask Trump administration to provide legal basis for Venezuela strikes By Associated Press The U.S. military has carried out lethal strikes on alleged drug smugglers, which President Donald Trump has defended as a necessary escalation to curb the flow of drugs into the United States. Continue reading
Nov 24 Pentagon says it's investigating Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly after video urging troops to defy 'illegal orders' By Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press “If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work,” Kelly said in a statement. Continue reading
Nov 10 U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats kill 6 in the eastern Pacific By Associated Press The dual strikes on Sunday bring the total number of known attacks up to 19 and the death toll to at least 75 people since the Trump administration launched a campaign against drug trafficking in South American waters that many… Continue reading
Nov 07 WATCH: Hegseth outlines new weapons buying priorities in remarks at National War College By Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday the Pentagon is revamping how the military buys weapons, shifting the focus away from producing advanced and complex technology and toward products that can be made and delivered quickly. Continue reading