Morning Brief: US Conducts Strike on Venezuelan Drug Vessel, China Showcases New Military Units and Advanced Weapons

· Guy D. McCardle

Chinese President Xi Jinping walks alongside Russia’s Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and other dignitaries at Tiananmen Gate during a military parade in Beijing. (Image grab via X)

Good morning. Here’s your Wednesday, September 3, 2025 brief: The US hits a Venezuelan drug vessel, while a court halts Trump’s deportation plan. The Pentagon begins psilocybin tests for troops and the Army proves Apaches can take down drones. Israel launches a spy satellite, faces UN criticism, and expands its nuclear site. Houthis detain UN staff, NATO drafts Ukraine security guarantees, and Russia launches a major drone assault. China shows off new weapons in its largest WWII parade with Xi, Putin, and Kim at center stage, and a Chinese tourist is arrested at a US base in Okinawa.

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US Conducts Strike on Venezuelan Drug Vessel Linked to Tren de Aragua Gang, Killing 11

US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday a US military strike in the southern Caribbean targeting a drug-smuggling vessel operated by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

The strike, which killed 11 people, occurred in international waters as the vessel was transporting narcotics to the United States.

Trump framed the operation as a warning to drug traffickers and stated that no US forces were harmed.

The video released by Trump depicts the vessel exploding, though Venezuela’s government questioned its authenticity, alleging it may be artificial intelligence (AI)-generated.

The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, condemned the strike as an imperialist attack and denied involvement with the gang, accusing the US of targeting Venezuela’s resources.

US officials previously increased naval presence near Venezuela to counter drug trafficking.

The strike coincides with heightened diplomatic activity in the region, including US talks with Mexico and Ecuador on drug cartels and security issues. The extent of Tren de Aragua’s operations and ties to the Venezuelan regime remain unclear, and the US military has not provided detailed evidence linking the gang to the vessel

 

Federal Appeals Court Blocks Trump’s Use of 18th-Century Law to Expedite Deportations of Venezuelan Gang Members

A three-judge panel of the conservative 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump cannot use the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to accelerate deportations of people accused of belonging to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang.

The court agreed with immigrant rights advocates that the wartime law, historically applied only during declared wars, was not designed to target criminal gangs in peacetime.

The ruling blocks deportations from Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi under this law, citing a lack of conditions comparable to wartime invasion or conflict.

One judge dissented, arguing the majority unduly limited presidential authority in foreign affairs and national security.

The administration had claimed Tren de Aragua was tied to Venezuela’s government and posed a threat to the US. This case is expected to reach the Supreme Court for a final decision. The court did uphold procedural aspects of notifying detainees of their rights under the law.

Previous Supreme Court rulings allowed deportations but required adequate judicial notice for those targeted.

 

Pentagon to Begin Drug Testing Troops for ‘Magic Mushroom’ Hallucinogen Starting October

The Pentagon recently announced a new policy that will begin drug testing US service members for psilocin, the active hallucinogenic compound in psilocybin mushrooms (“magic mushrooms”), starting October 1.

The policy aims to prevent impairment that could affect military readiness, discipline, and safety.

While psilocybin remains a federally illegal Schedule I substance, interest in its potential medical uses for mental health conditions like PTSD has grown in recent years, with some states decriminalizing its use or allowing research.

Under the new rule, commanders can request tests based on probable cause, consent, or random screening as part of the military’s Drug Demand Reduction Program. Psilocin is detectable in urine and blood for up to 24 hours and in hair follicles for up to 90 days.

Meanwhile, the military and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are conducting Pentagon-funded and private studies exploring psilocybin’s therapeutic benefits for service members, with legal use currently restricted to research settings.

 

US Army’s Apache Attack Helicopter Proves Effective Against Drones in Recent Trial

The US Army recently demonstrated the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter’s ability to detect, track, and destroy various drones during a recent exercise in North Carolina.

The trial highlighted the Apache’s capacity to provide persistent and flexible counter-drone capabilities in response to the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) on modern battlefields.

Despite some countries shifting focus toward cheaper unmanned systems, the Army emphasized the Apache’s value as a mobile platform that can rapidly engage drone threats, addressing gaps left by predominantly ground-based counter-drone systems.

The Apache remains an important asset for US forces and allies, including Poland, which is investing heavily in the helicopter as part of its military modernization efforts.

The helicopter also recently participated in a joint US-Poland missile firing exercise in the Baltic Sea region.

 

Israel Launches Advanced Spy Satellite to Boost Middle East Surveillance

Israel launched a new spy satellite late Tuesday, which officials call a strategic cornerstone to enhance surveillance across the Middle East.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said the satellite, named Ofek 19, will improve Israel’s ability to gather intelligence, citing its success in collecting over 12,000 images of Iran during a recent 12-day conflict.

The satellite will support reconnaissance efforts amid ongoing operations in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describes Israel’s “seven-front war.”

Major General Amir Baram emphasized the satellite’s role in maintaining continuous and simultaneous monitoring throughout the region.

Israel’s space program, one of the few globally with high-resolution intelligence capabilities, has expanded recently with multiple satellite launches.

The satellite was built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a key player in the country’s aerospace and defense sector.

Officials did not disclose the launch location.

 

Israeli Drones Drop Grenades Near UN Peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon; No Injuries Reported

Israeli drones dropped four grenades near United Nations peacekeepers working to clear roadblocks in southern Lebanon close to the Israeli border, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported on Wednesday.

The incident occurred Tuesday morning and caused no injuries, but UNIFIL described it as one of the most serious attacks on its personnel since the end of the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war last November. One grenade landed within 20 meters of UN personnel, and three others fell within approximately 100 meters.

The peacekeeping force had informed the Israeli military in advance of its road clearance efforts.

Following the attack, UNIFIL suspended its operations in the area out of safety concerns.

The event comes amid the UN Security Council’s recent unanimous vote to end the peacekeeping mission by the end of 2026, marking nearly five decades of monitoring southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL condemned the attack as a serious violation of international law and stressed Israel’s responsibility to protect peacekeepers during their mandated operations.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

 

Satellite Images Show Intensified Construction at Israel’s Dimona Nuclear Site, Raising Nuclear Program Questions

Satellite images reveal increased construction activity at Israel’s Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center near Dimona, a facility long linked to Israel’s suspected nuclear weapons program.

Experts analyzing the recent images suggest the new structure could be a replacement heavy water reactor or a nuclear weapons assembly facility, though the exact purpose remains unclear due to Israel’s policy of nuclear ambiguity and lack of transparency.

The existing heavy water reactor, operational since the 1960s, likely needs replacement or retrofitting, which could explain the new construction. Heavy water reactors can produce plutonium and tritium (key materials for nuclear weapons) which aligns with Israel’s believed reliance on such a reactor for its atomic arsenal.

Israel neither confirms nor denies its nuclear capabilities, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cannot inspect the site due to Israel’s non-signatory status to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

The construction advances amid heightened regional tensions, following recent Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Experts caution that the building may aim to sustain existing capabilities rather than expand them, but secrecy fuels ongoing international scrutiny.

 

Iranian-Backed Houthis Detain 19 UN Employees in Yemen Office Raids

At least 19 United Nations employees, including 18 Yemeni staff and one international worker, were detained by Iranian-backed Houthi forces during raids on UN offices in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, the UN confirmed Tuesday.

The raids targeted offices of the food, health, and children’s agencies and followed Israel’s airstrike killing Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and several ministers.

The Houthis have controlled northern Yemen, including Sanaa, since 2014 and have escalated attacks in support of Palestinians, prompting retaliatory strikes by the US and Israel. This detention adds to previous arrests, with 23 UN staff held in the past, some since 2021.

UN officials condemned the detentions, emphasizing their severe impact on the organization’s ability to deliver aid to Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world.

The UN special envoy recently met Houthi representatives in Oman, reiterating calls for the immediate release of all detained personnel.

 

NATO Seeks Clarity on Security Guarantees for Ukraine Amid Post-War Planning

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Wednesday that clarity on security guarantees Europe can offer Ukraine after the war with Russia ends is expected at a summit of Ukraine’s allies on Thursday or shortly afterward.

The meeting, co-hosted virtually by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aims to define collective measures to deter future Russian aggression.

Security guarantees are expected to focus on sustained military support for Ukraine and may include an international force to reassure Kyiv, contingent on US involvement.

Rutte emphasized that any commitments to Ukraine will not weaken NATO’s defenses along its eastern flank, stressing the importance of managing resources to maintain alliance readiness.

 

Russia Launches Over 500 Drones and Missiles in Large-Scale Attack on Western Ukraine

Russian forces launched a massive assault involving more than 500 drones and missiles targeting western Ukraine, causing widespread power outages and damage to civilian infrastructure, Ukrainian officials reported Wednesday.

Explosions were heard over Kyiv, where air defenses actively intercepted Russian drones during the attack, which coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China and UK Defence Secretary John Healey’s arrival in Ukraine for security talks.

The northern Chernigiv region reported 30,000 people without electricity, while the Kirovograd region confirmed injuries to four railway workers and damage to residential buildings.

Ukraine’s Air Force stated that the barrage included 502 drones and 24 missiles hitting multiple locations.

Russia has conducted near-nightly aerial drone and missile strikes on Ukraine since its full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

 

China Showcases New Military Units and Advanced Weapons in WWII Anniversary Parade

China held a major military parade in central Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, featuring several new military units and weaponry displayed publicly for the first time.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, as chairman of the Central Military Commission, reviewed troops that included traditional Navy and Army Forces, along with newly formed units such as the Cyberspace and Information Support Forces created to enhance cybersecurity and network systems. Notable debut weapons included hypersonic missiles targeting naval vessels, underwater drones like the AJX002, and the intercontinental ballistic missile DF-61 capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

This was China’s first large-scale military parade since 2019, aimed at boosting national pride and demonstrating military strength amid growing regional and US concerns.

The event was attended by about two dozen foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Iran’s president, although Western and several key Asian leaders did not participate.

The parade was tightly controlled with restricted public access, with most viewers watching via broadcast or livestream.

 

Russian, North Korean Leaders Meet for Bilateral Talks After Beijing Military Parade

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held formal bilateral talks in Beijing following a major military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end.

The meeting took place at the Diaoyutai state guest house, with both leaders traveling together from a reception to the negotiations.

Putin praised North Korean soldiers for their role in assisting Russian forces against Ukrainian troops near the Kursk region. South Korean reports indicate North Korea has deployed roughly 15,000 troops and supplied military equipment to support Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Kim highlighted the strengthening cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow since their strategic partnership agreement last year and offered further assistance to Russia, framing it as a fraternal duty.

This event marks Kim’s first participation in a major multilateral gathering during his leadership and the first occasion where he, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping have appeared at the same venue, sparking speculation about potential additional meetings among the three leaders.

 

Chinese Tourist Arrested for Trespassing on US Kadena Air Base in Okinawa

A 37-year-old Chinese man, Dai Long, was recently arrested after entering the US Air Force’s Kadena Air Base in Okinawa through a gate near a popular entertainment district.

Security personnel apprehended him on the base Saturday morning, and he was handed over to Okinawa Prefectural Police, who arrested him nearly three hours later on suspicion of violating the Special Criminal Act for trespassing on a US military facility.

Long, visiting Okinawa as a tourist, told police he believed he had the right to freely enter the base. The case has been referred to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office, and Long remains in custody.

US and Japanese officials praised the swift response and ongoing security cooperation.

 

Sources: News Agencies