United States Defense and Military Forces

• Venezuela’s New Leader Enlists U.S. Troops to Bring a Rogue Ship Back - Delcy Rodríguez got American help with the return of an oil tanker linked to one of her political rivals that had left the country without authorization.
• Trump Is Briefed on Options for Striking Iran as Protests Continue - The president has said he will be “hitting them very hard” if Iranian leaders kill protesters amid widespread demonstrations calling for wholesale changes in the country.
• U.S. Launches Major Strikes on Islamic State Targets in Syria - The airstrikes followed an even larger attack in December to avenge the killing of three Americans last year.
• Trump Is ‘Chest-Beating’ Over a Retreat - The round table convenes to discuss the start to Trump’s 2026, from Greenland to Minnesota and Venezuela.
• After President’s Capture, U.S. and Venezuela Explore Restoring Diplomatic Ties - In moves that embodied the contradictions and fast-changing nature of the two countries’ relationship, both said on Friday that they were eyeing reopening embassies and restoring long-severed diplomatic ties.
• These 5 Republicans Broke With Trump on Venezuela War Powers - The Republican defectors paved the way for a debate that could expose bipartisan concern about President Trump’s actions in Venezuela. Mr. Trump called for them to lose their seats.
• Fact-Checking Trump’s Justifications for the Venezuela Operation - The president has repeatedly tied Venezuela to drug overdose deaths, claimed the Maduro regime sent an influx of criminal migrants and accused the country of stealing American oil.
• When It Comes to Russia, Trump Navigates Conflicting Goals - President Trump’s efforts to court President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia are rife with contradictions about stability and displays of American power.
• Buy Greenland? Take It? Why? An Old Pact Already Gives Trump a Free Hand. - Analysts say the Cold War agreement allows the president to increase the American military presence almost at will.
• Rubio Tells Lawmakers Trump Wants to Buy Greenland - President Trump has said since his first term that he wants to acquire Greenland, and he asked aides for an updated plan on Monday. European leaders rejected the president’s assertions.