A rocket attack on a UNIFIL bunker and logistics area in southern Lebanon, injuring four Italian soldiers, was attributed to Hezbollah or a related group by UNIFIL. The attack, confirmed by both UNIFIL and the IDF, followed similar incidents targeting UNIFIL posts earlier in the week. Hezbollah launched the rockets from Deir Qanoun. Initial Italian accusations against Israel were later refuted by UNIFIL’s assessment.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot affirmed unwavering French support for Ukraine, stating that aid will continue for as long as necessary to counter the escalating threat to European security. This includes allowing Ukraine to use French long-range missiles for self-defense, even if that means striking Russian territory. Barrot also suggested increased Western defense spending is needed, and hinted at the possibility of Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership. A recent successful Ukrainian missile strike on a Russian command post, utilizing Western weaponry, underscores the escalating conflict.
Despite facing strong opposition from the White House and Senate leadership, Senator Sanders’s effort to halt arms sales to Israel during the Gaza crisis failed. His resolutions, which sought to block the sale of various munitions, garnered minimal support, with not a single Republican vote and less than half of the Democratic caucus voting in favor. This vote reflects the deep partisan divide on the issue and highlights the ongoing debate surrounding U.S. military aid to Israel amidst the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. The resolutions were ultimately defeated, demonstrating the continued strong support for Israel within the Senate, despite concerns raised by some about human rights violations and the ongoing conflict.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte publicly threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez killed should she be assassinated. This threat, deemed a national security issue, prompted an immediate increase in the President’s security detail and an investigation into the Vice President’s actions. The threat followed a bitter political falling-out between the two leaders, fueled by accusations of corruption and political persecution. Duterte’s statement, made during a news conference, allegedly involved pre-arranged plans for retribution, potentially constituting a criminal offense under Philippine law.
Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, revealed that Russia’s February 2022 invasion was preceded by extensive preparations for genocide, including the creation of kill lists and plans for mass graves and crematoria. This genocidal intent, Budanov argued, stemmed from a deeply ingrained Ukrainophobia within Russian society and was fueled by official rhetoric denying Ukrainian nationhood. Mass atrocities in cities like Bucha and Mariupol serve as evidence of this systematic policy, according to Budanov. Further, the abduction and forced re-education of Ukrainian children underscore Russia’s attempt to erase Ukrainian identity.
A Norwegian student in his twenties, employed as a security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, was arrested and charged with espionage for Russia and Iran. The suspect, who also runs a security company, admitted to collecting and sharing information but denies espionage charges, claiming he obtained information potentially harming third-country security. Authorities are investigating the security company’s license and confirmed the man’s intelligence-related activity damaged national security. This marks the second espionage case involving the Arctic University of Norway in recent years, highlighting heightened security concerns given Norway’s proximity to Russia.
Newly declassified US intelligence documents detail a pattern of assassinations targeting political opponents of Vladimir Putin, primarily in former Soviet republics. These actions range from poisonings, like that of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, to bombings and shootings, implicating both Russian state security services and Chechen operatives under Ramzan Kadyrov. The report cites several high-profile victims, including former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko and Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, former leader of Ichkeria. US intelligence expresses high confidence in its findings regarding these Kremlin-linked operations.
During a Montreal protest coinciding with a NATO summit and further student-led pro-Palestinian demonstrations, clashes erupted between protesters and police. Three arrests were made for alleged assault on officers and obstruction of police work. Protesters engaged in vandalism, including setting vehicles ablaze and throwing projectiles at police. The demonstration, initially peaceful, escalated after an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was burned.
As of November 22nd, an estimated 60,000 Russian troops, augmented by approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers, are concentrated in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. These forces aim to establish a buffer zone along the Sumy Oblast border, countering Ukraine’s August incursion. Ukrainian forces, having initially gained ground, are holding their positions in Kursk Oblast while Russian forces have retaken approximately half of the initially lost territory. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant Russian casualties, with over 7,900 killed, 12,200 wounded, and 717 captured in the three months since the offensive began.
Sweden will provide significant financial aid to Ukraine for the mass production of long-range missiles and drones, utilizing the “Danish model” of direct funding to the Ukrainian defense industry. This approach avoids depleting Swedish military stockpiles while simultaneously bolstering Ukraine’s long-term defense capabilities and fostering stronger bilateral economic ties. The funding follows similar initiatives by Denmark and Norway, and allows Ukraine to utilize the weapons as it sees fit, including on Russian territory. This commitment underscores Sweden’s continued support for Ukraine’s self-defense efforts.
John Q. Hosedrinker