United States Defense and Military Forces

• U.S. Coast Guard Is Pursuing an Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela - U.S. forces had boarded a different tanker on Saturday. The actions signaled a crackdown on such vessels.
• The White House Is Just ‘Trying to Keep Grandpa Busy’ - Jamelle Bouie, Michelle Cottle and David French convene to discuss the year that was.
• U.S. and Venezuela Jam Caribbean GPS Signals to Thwart Attacks, Raising Flight Hazard - Military brinkmanship between President Trump and Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela has led to an increase in electronic warfare in the region.
• U.S. Strikes Islamic State Targets in Syria - American forces struck dozens of suspected ISIS sites, making good on President Trump’s vow to avenge two American soldiers and a civilian U.S. interpreter killed by the group last week.
• How the Army Caused Alarm in the Washington Skies Years Before a Fatal Crash - An aged helicopter fleet and inexperienced pilots from nearby Fort Belvoir had raised “widespread concern” among local pilots before a midair collision killed 67 people.
• Trump Announces $1,776 ‘Warrior Dividend’ for Military - President Trump promised active duty troops a $1,776 check, citing increased revenue raised by tariffs, but the funding is coming from money for the military included in this year’s domestic spending law.
• Trump Relies on Distortions to Support His Pressure Campaign on Venezuela - The president has a long record of making false or misleading statements. But the sheer density of them in his administration’s boat attacks and Venezuela pressure campaign is exceptional.
• Venezuelan Navy Escorts Vessels in Defiance of Trump’s Blockade Threat - Pentagon officials, surprised by President Trump’s orders, scrambled to work out a plan to halt sanctioned tankers as Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s leader, vowed resistance.
• House Rejects Measure to Bar Strikes Inside Venezuela - The Democratic measure was defeated mostly along party lines, along with another resolution that would have halted the military’s escalating campaign of boat attacks.
• Top Republican Examining Boat Strike ‘Satisfied’ With Military Mission - After viewing video of a follow-up strike, Republicans largely had confidence in the Pentagon’s legal rationale while Democrats questioned its legality.