Vice President Vance initially opposed a U.S. strike on Houthi militants in Yemen, citing potential public misunderstanding and negative economic consequences, particularly oil price spikes. Defense Secretary Hegseth and National Security Advisor Waltz advocated for the strikes, framing them as vital for restoring freedom of navigation and deterring Iran, regardless of direct U.S. economic interests. Despite Vance’s reservations, the strikes proceeded, resulting in civilian casualties and raising questions about the efficacy of the strategy. The incident reveals a disregard for a narrow focus on American interests and a continuation of a broader, interventionist foreign policy.
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Leaked messages reveal that U.S. officials celebrated a Yemeni airstrike that killed at least 13 civilians, with Vice President J.D. Vance calling the destruction of a building housing a purported Houthi target “excellent.” National Security Advisor Michael Waltz described the strike as “amazing,” while CIA Director John Ratcliffe called it “a good start.” Critics, including Rep. Maxwell Frost, have condemned these actions as a war crime, highlighting the violation of international law prohibiting the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure. The U.S. conducted numerous strikes in Yemen around the same time, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
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A five-year-old child is among those killed in a recent Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine. This tragic loss underscores the devastating human cost of the ongoing conflict. The image of a young child, full of life and potential, snatched away by violence is particularly heartbreaking. It forces us to confront the brutal reality of war and the immense suffering it inflicts on innocent civilians.
The sheer senselessness of this act is profoundly disturbing. A child’s death, under any circumstances, is a profound tragedy, but this loss feels especially cruel. It’s a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and instability gripping the nation.… Continue reading
Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza, marked by a series of devastating airstrikes targeting Hamas, has reignited a conflict that many hoped was finally over. The situation is complex and fraught with accusations of broken ceasefires, unmet demands for hostage releases, and a deeply rooted animosity that seems intractable. The current violence underscores the fragility of any peace attempts in the region.
This escalation comes after what many perceived as a tenuous ceasefire, a period punctuated by disagreements over its terms and accusations of violations from both sides. The expectation of lasting peace seems to have been naive, given the long history of conflict and the deeply entrenched positions of the involved parties.… Continue reading
The Alawite casualties included a significant number of civilians, outweighing the number of fighters, according to reports from activists. This underscores the devastating impact of the conflict on the civilian population. The situation highlights the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. Further details regarding the casualties were not provided by Defense Minister Israel Katz.
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A Russian attack on Dobropillia, Donetsk, killed at least 14 civilians and injured dozens more, including children, following a missile strike on an apartment building. Simultaneous drone attacks in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv, resulted in further casualties. This intensified bombardment follows a week of reduced US aid to Ukraine, a move some European leaders attribute to US appeasement of Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for increased sanctions against Russia, while condemning the attacks as a vile intimidation tactic.
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A deadly Russian attack overnight on Ukraine has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 20 lives, with 55 more suffering injuries. The attack targeted a residential area, indiscriminately striking civilians and highlighting the brutal nature of the ongoing conflict. The sheer number of casualties underscores the devastating consequences of this violence, leaving a trail of suffering and loss in its wake.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many expressing their anger and frustration at the continued attacks on innocent civilians. The deliberate targeting of residential areas is seen as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, further fueling the condemnation of Russia’s actions.… Continue reading
Following a contentious White House meeting and a U.S. decision to halt intelligence sharing, Russia launched devastating aerial attacks on Ukraine for a second consecutive night, resulting in at least 20 civilian deaths. These attacks, involving missiles and drones, targeted both civilian areas and rescue workers, severely impacting Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, while welcoming proposed sanctions on Russia, emphasized Ukraine’s ongoing pursuit of peace and upcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia. The cessation of U.S. intelligence support significantly hampered Ukraine’s defenses against the relentless Russian assault.
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Russia unleashed a massive drone assault on Ukraine, deploying 267 drones—the largest single attack since the full-scale invasion began. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 138 drones, but widespread damage resulted, including casualties in Kryvyi Rih and Odesa Oblast. The attacks, which also included missile strikes, caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure across the country, particularly in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. One fatality and numerous injuries were reported, highlighting the ongoing brutality of the conflict.
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A Ukrainian MiG-29 jet successfully struck a Russian drone team operating near the border in Kursk Oblast, destroying their position with a salvo of precision bombs. The target, a platoon from the 60th Motor Rifle Brigade, was launching drones that had been harassing Ukrainian forces in Sumy Oblast. This attack may represent a broader Ukrainian strategy to proactively target drone operators, particularly as Russia deploys more difficult-to-counter fiber-optic drones. The continued success of such raids, however, hinges on the ongoing supply of Western-made munitions, which faces uncertainty amid potential geopolitical shifts.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood