The US has requested Lebanon return an undetonated GBU-39 bomb, a Boeing-manufactured glide bomb capable of traveling up to 110 km, due to concerns it could fall into the hands of Russia or China. This request follows the discovery of the unexploded bomb. The US fears the technology could be reverse-engineered by rival nations.
Following an initial strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean on September 2, the US military conducted a follow-up strike after assessing there were survivors. This second attack resulted in the deaths of the remaining crew, bringing the total death toll to 11 and sinking the ship. The administration has since faced scrutiny, as the President announced the strike, but has never publicly acknowledged killing survivors. Legal experts and members of Congress have raised concerns, with some arguing the strikes violate the law of armed conflict by executing individuals who are “hors de combat.” This has led to the UK ceasing intelligence sharing with the US due to concerns over the legality of these actions.
Reports indicate that the U.S. military may have committed war crimes in the Caribbean, targeting survivors of an initial strike on a vessel suspected of drug smuggling. Allegedly, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the killing of all individuals on the vessel, leading to a second strike that eliminated two survivors. Legal experts condemn the actions as violations of international law, and potential war crimes, regardless of the mission’s classification. The administration has denied any wrongdoing, however, and criticized Democratic lawmakers who have called for investigations.
US revives jungle warfare training in Panama amid regional tensions, and honestly, the whole thing feels like a rerun of a show we’ve all seen before. It’s hard not to feel a sense of déjà vu, remembering past conflicts and the potential costs of this kind of military buildup. I mean, here we are, dusting off jungle warfare training in Panama, and it’s difficult to ignore the historical echoes and the potential for tragic outcomes.
The effort, supposedly, stems from a bilateral agreement, separate from any existing tensions with Venezuela. But let’s be real, the timing is hard to overlook. Reviving jungle warfare training, particularly in a region like Panama, immediately raises questions about regional dynamics.… Continue reading
Ecuadorian voters rejected a proposal to allow foreign military bases, hindering US hopes for a military presence in the country, despite President Daniel Noboa’s support for the measure. The referendum outcome represents a setback for Noboa, who had sought to reverse a 2008 ban, aiming to combat rising violence and drug trafficking. The US has been increasing its military presence in the region. This vote occurred amid a backdrop of increased regional security concerns and the US’s designation of Ecuador’s Los Lobos gang as a terrorist organization.
US Southern Command announced on Sunday its 21st strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was engaged in narcotics smuggling along a known trafficking route. This latest strike brings the total number of individuals killed in these operations to 83. The campaign, intended to disrupt drug flow into the US, has faced criticism, with some allies like the UK and Colombia halting intelligence sharing over concerns of legality.
Pentagon says it struck another suspected drug boat in Pacific, killing three, and the immediate reaction, it seems, is a mix of outrage and disbelief. The very notion of taking a life based on mere suspicion is deeply unsettling. The term “suspected” throws everything into question, raising valid points about due process and the right to a fair trial. The complete absence of evidence, of definitive proof of wrongdoing, seems to be a major concern, and rightly so. Many are asking if there are other ways to handle these suspected drug smugglers, such as sending out boats to verify the contents of the boat.… Continue reading
The US military has launched Operation Southern Spear, targeting “narco-terrorists” in Latin America, as announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This operation comes amid a significant build-up of US military presence in the region and follows the 20th reported US attack on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in four fatalities with no survivors. The US claims these attacks are focused on disrupting drug trafficking, despite a lack of evidence or legal justification. This increased military activity, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford, is widely perceived as a move to pressure Venezuela, with both Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his defense minister condemning the US actions as threats to regional sovereignty.
The US military conducted another strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, resulting in three fatalities, bringing the total death toll from the campaign to at least 70. These strikes, initiated in September, have targeted vessels in international waters, destroying at least 18 vessels, although concrete evidence of the targets’ illicit activities remains undisclosed. The ongoing campaign, justified by the administration’s declaration of “armed conflict” with Latin American drug cartels, involves significant military assets in the region, including Navy ships and stealth warplanes. Despite concerns and accusations of extrajudicial killings, the administration has expanded its military operations while facing challenges and accusations from Venezuela’s president.
Pope Leo XIV voiced disapproval of the increased US military presence in the Caribbean, though he did not mention any names. The pontiff indicated that the deployment, particularly near Venezuela, serves to escalate tensions, and he urged for dialogue instead of violence. Additionally, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the detention of migrants in the US, emphasizing the importance of welcoming foreigners. He cited the words of Jesus about the importance of treating the foreigner well.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood