A recently viewed video shown to senators depicts a US airstrike on a suspected drug smuggling boat, revealing two surviving, unarmed men clinging to wreckage before being killed in a subsequent attack. The video has sparked controversy as the US military has carried out 22 attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, with a death toll of at least 87 people. Legal experts and lawmakers have debated the legality of these strikes, particularly the killing of incapacitated survivors, as the US Department of Defense’s Law of War manual prohibits attacks on those who are incapacitated. The debate centers on whether these actions constitute war crimes given the circumstances of the attacks and whether the individuals are considered “combatants.”
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The US military says it killed four men in a strike on a suspected drug vessel. That’s where we start, isn’t it? The core of this whole thing, the crux of the matter: four lives extinguished, not because they were definitively proven to be criminals, but because they were *suspected* of being involved in drug trafficking. It’s a word, “suspected”, that carries a chilling weight when it’s coupled with the irreversible act of taking a life. It’s a word that opens up a Pandora’s Box of questions, anxieties, and a gut feeling that something is fundamentally wrong.
The US military says it killed four men in a strike on a suspected drug vessel, and the immediate reaction is one of disbelief, frustration, and a deep-seated feeling of injustice.… Continue reading
El Fasher, Sudan, now resembles a massive crime scene, with mass graves and cremations sites evident following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) seizure of the city. Satellite imagery reveals the city to be eerily empty, with markets overgrown and livestock removed. While the exact death toll is unknown, one briefing suggested at least 60,000 have been killed, with tens of thousands still unaccounted for, and international experts have declared the city to be in famine. Despite RSF pledges, humanitarian organizations and UN officials have been denied access to deliver aid or investigate atrocities, and the RSF is currently under investigation for war crimes regarding their attack on the Zamzam displacement camp.
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On December 5th, the Ukrainian OSINT monitoring group DeepState reported that Russian forces executed a captured Ukrainian soldier in the village of Sviato-Pokrovske in the Bakhmut district. Video evidence, released by Russian sources, depicts a Ukrainian soldier surrendering before being shot at close range, with the footage appearing to document a war crime. DeepState stated that this execution of a prisoner of war violates international law. This incident follows an earlier criminal investigation into the alleged execution of other Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Donetsk region.
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Lawmakers were disturbed by the explanation provided regarding the justification for killing two incapacitated men, with the implication that they were still considered threats. The administration maintained that the men were still involved in drug trafficking, thus perpetuating the idea that they were engaged in armed conflict with the U.S. despite being shipwrecked. This rationale contradicts the laws of war, which generally prohibit killing those no longer actively participating in a conflict. The core argument is a dangerous extension of executive power, allowing for summary military execution of civilians in international waters.
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The Trump administration has controversially justified the killing of suspected cocaine smugglers as “unlawful combatants” in an “armed struggle” against the United States, even if they are unarmed and pose no immediate threat. In a specific instance, Adm. Frank M. Bradley ordered a second missile strike on survivors of an initial strike on a drug smuggling boat. According to reports, this second strike was carried out because the survivors had radioed for help and were seen as still “in the fight.” Critics argue the second strike was a war crime, violating the law-of-war rules regarding shipwrecked individuals. This defense reveals the complexities of applying the law of war to a scenario that, according to the article, doesn’t really exist.
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House Democrat announces articles of impeachment against Hegseth – Well, this is certainly a headline that’s generating some reactions! From the sound of things, people are reacting with a mixture of hope, skepticism, and outright cynicism. The core issue appears to be serious allegations, specifically the assertion that Hegseth is a “murdering war criminal” and that he should face legal consequences. The primary focus is clearly on the gravity of the accusations and the potential for accountability.
House Democrat announces articles of impeachment against Hegseth – The legal aspects of the situation are clearly on people’s minds. There’s discussion around whether the actions in question constitute impeachable offenses, a topic that’s being debated.… Continue reading
Military attorneys initially suggested the second strike might be justified if survivors posed a threat. However, the available footage reportedly contradicted this, leaving little room for doubt about the situation. Representative Jim Himes described the killing of the distressed individuals as extremely troubling, emphasizing their inability to continue any mission. While a “kill them all” order was not given, the circumstances surrounding the strike remain highly concerning.
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AP News reports that a Navy admiral testified before lawmakers, denying a “kill them all” order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concerning a strike near Venezuela. Although there was no direct order for the second attack, lawmakers remain concerned. Investigations are underway regarding the handling of the military operation and whether it violated the law, with Democrats demanding full video footage and records. Pressure on Hegseth mounts as Republicans pledge a thorough review.
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Military struck drug boat in Caribbean 4 times in Sept. 2 attack, says US official: Let’s break this down. The news that the military targeted a boat in the Caribbean and hit it not once, but four times, immediately raises a lot of questions. It’s the kind of headline that grabs your attention and makes you want to dig deeper. The initial reaction is a mix of shock and disbelief. Did they really need to hit it four times? What was on the boat? And why so many strikes?
The use of four strikes suggests more than just an attempt to disable a vessel.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood