Evening Brief: Hegseth Declares End to ‘Woke’ Pentagon Policies, Ukraine Shares Drone Warfare Expertise

· Guy D. McCardle

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., September 30, 2025. (Department of War/DVIDS)

SOFREP Evening Recap: Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

 

Trump Proposes Using US Cities as Military Training Grounds, Hegseth Declares End to ‘Woke’ Pentagon Policies

President Donald Trump proposed deploying US military forces into American cities as training grounds, framing urban unrest and crime as an “invasion from within.”

Speaking at a hastily convened meeting of military leaders in Quantico, Virginia, Trump argued that the armed forces should focus less on political correctness and more on direct action.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced the message, announcing new directives aimed at dismantling what he called “woke” culture, including the imposition of gender-neutral combat fitness standards and loosening disciplinary rules.

The closed-door gathering of top military brass, called without explanation, sparked speculation given its timing amid global security challenges and a looming government shutdown. Many officers reacted coolly to Trump’s partisan remarks, in contrast to the applause he typically draws from rank-and-file troops.

Hegseth criticized past diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, warned senior officers to resign if they disagreed with his approach, and ordered reviews of rules against hazing and toxic leadership.

Critics, including Senator Jack Reed, denounced the event as a dangerous politicization of the military, arguing it undermined its nonpartisan foundation.

 

US Faces Imminent Shutdown as Parties Clash Over Health Care and Spending

With just hours until a government shutdown deadline, Democrats and Republicans remain locked in a bitter standoff over health care and spending, each blaming the other for the looming crisis.

The Senate must pass a House-approved seven-week funding extension to keep the government open, but Democrats are demanding the continuation of Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversal of recent Medicaid cuts. Republicans insist on passing what they call a “clean” bill without changes.

President Trump escalated tensions by mocking Democrats online and warning a shutdown could mean deep program cuts. Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and John Thune traded sharp words on the floor, while a White House meeting failed to produce progress.

If no deal is reached by midnight, about 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed or laid off, marking the first shutdown in nearly seven years.

Both sides face pressure from their bases, with Democrats seeing leverage to protect health care and Republicans resisting concessions.

Federal agencies have already begun preparations, and uncertainty remains over whether either party will yield before the deadline.

 

Maduro Declares External Emergency as US Military Buildup Escalates Tensions

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro signed a decree Monday declaring a state of external emergency, granting expanded defense and security powers in response to what his government calls US military threats.

Caracas condemned recent US deployments in the Caribbean, which Washington says target drug trafficking but Venezuela sees as a pretext for regime change.

The emergency declaration, which can last up to 90 days and be extended once, allows temporary suspension of some constitutional guarantees.

Tensions rose earlier this month after US strikes on suspected drug boats killed at least 17 people.

 

Qatar Seeks Revisions to Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan as Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens

Qatar said more negotiations are needed over US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which requires Hamas to release hostages, disarm, and relinquish power in exchange for prisoner releases, aid, and reconstruction.

The plan leaves Gaza under international governance led by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, but sets no path to Palestinian statehood. Arab states expressed frustration over revisions that they say favor Israel, with demands for a full Israeli withdrawal and a statehood roadmap.

Hamas is consulting with Arab and Turkish mediators in Doha before giving its response, while Trump has said Hamas has only a few days to decide.

In Gaza, Israeli operations killed at least 36 Palestinians in strikes and shootings near humanitarian aid sites, hospitals reported. Casualties included families sheltering in tents and pregnant women.

The Israeli military said it struck over 160 Hamas targets and responded to perceived threats near troops. Hospitals in southern Gaza are overwhelmed as tens of thousands flee ongoing offensives, with doctors warning of famine, untreated wounds, and rising deaths.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israel’s campaign has killed more than 66,000 people since October 2023, while Israel continues to press Hamas after its October 7 attack that killed about 1,200 and led to mass hostage-taking.

Families of Israeli hostages expressed cautious hope the new plan could bring releases, though many remain skeptical of its prospects.

 

Italy to Halt Escort of Gaza Aid Flotilla Amid Fears of Israeli Interception

Italy announced it will stop accompanying the Global Sumud Flotilla once it reaches 150 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast, despite activists’ warnings that the convoy faces imminent attack.

The flotilla, made up of more than 40 civilian boats carrying parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists including Greta Thunberg, seeks to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

Activists say they expect Israeli action after previous drone attacks hit the fleet in international waters off Greece.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged participants to end their mission, warning that a confrontation could undermine US-led ceasefire efforts.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy’s navy frigate will stop at the distance limit and issue two warnings before turning back, stressing that activists risk arrest if intercepted by Israeli forces.

Rome and Madrid deployed naval vessels last week to assist the flotilla, but Italy insists it will not engage beyond the agreed limit. The activists have rejected offers to offload aid in Cyprus, insisting on sailing directly to Gaza.

Israel maintains its blockade is legal and has vowed to stop the flotilla.

 

France Probes Sanctions-Busted Russian Oil Tanker Off Atlantic Coast

The French Navy confirmed Tuesday it is investigating the Benin-flagged oil tanker Boracay, which is under UK and European Union sanctions for its role in transporting Russian crude.

The vessel, previously named Kiwala and later Pushpa, was sanctioned by the EU in October 2024 and by Britain in February 2025 for engaging in irregular and high-risk shipping practices tied to Russia’s oil trade.

The tanker, part of the so-called shadow fleet of older ships with opaque ownership and insurance, was detained in Estonia earlier this year before being released.

Built in 2007, the Boracay is now anchored off France’s Atlantic coast near Saint Nazaire. French authorities have passed the case to prosecutors in Brest for investigation.

 

Ukraine Shares Drone Warfare Expertise With Europe as Russian Strikes Kill Family in Sumy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian military specialists have begun a mission in Denmark to share frontline experience in countering Russian drones.

The move follows a European agreement to build a “drone wall” along borders with Russia and Ukraine to improve detection and interception of aerial threats.

Denmark recently reported drone sightings near military sites and airports, while Poland has also sought Ukrainian expertise after Russian drones entered its airspace. NATO is simultaneously increasing air surveillance in the Baltic and reinforcing Danish air defenses amid growing concerns over European airspace violations by Russia.

The initiative comes as Ukraine continues to suffer deadly drone attacks. Authorities in the northeastern Sumy region reported that a Russian strike killed a family of four, including two young children.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s expertise and technology could be central to Europe’s defense, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the European “drone wall” plan, calling it a militarist step instead of an attempt at dialogue.

 

Zelenskyy Warns of Critical Risk at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant After Power Loss

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that conditions at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are critical after a week without external power. He said Russian shelling has prevented the restoration of electricity needed to cool the reactors, warning of the risk of a meltdown.

One of the plant’s diesel generators used for emergency power has already failed.

The Zaporizhzhia facility, Europe’s largest with six reactors, has been disconnected from Ukraine’s power grid for the 10th time since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Though it no longer produces electricity, it still requires power to safely cool its fuel.

Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s actions as unprecedented nuclear terrorism, urging international action.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the outage of external lines and reiterated calls for both sides to protect nuclear safety, with its monitors stationed at the plant.

Russian officials have not commented on the latest situation.

 

Russian Daytime Drone Strike Hits Dnipro, Killing One and Injuring 20

Russia carried out a rare daytime drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Tuesday, killing one man, injuring 20 people, and damaging medical facilities, residential blocks, and office buildings, local officials said.

Regional governor Serhiy Lysak reported that the strike hit the city center during working hours, setting an office building on fire and damaging dozens of cars.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the attack and renewed calls for tougher international sanctions against Russia, urging stronger joint action to hold Moscow accountable.

Dnipro, an industrial and business hub in southeastern Ukraine, has frequently been a target of Russian strikes since the invasion began.

 

UN Urges Taliban to End Nationwide Internet Blackout in Afghanistan

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan called on the Taliban to restore internet and telecommunications after the group imposed the country’s first nationwide shutdown since regaining power in 2021.

The blackout, which began spreading on September 16 and became nationwide by September 29, followed Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada’s decree banning fiber-optic services to curb what he described as immorality.

The UN warned the outage is crippling banking, remittances, aviation, and medical services while worsening Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis. It also said the blackout isolates women and girls, restricts freedom of expression, and hampers disaster response in a country recently hit by earthquakes and mass refugee returns.

The Taliban have not commented, though they rely heavily on digital platforms themselves.

Pakistan’s diplomatic missions have turned to satellite phones to maintain communication.

Analysts described the move as one of the most extreme measures the Taliban have taken since returning to power, showing no sign of ideological moderation.

 

Pentagon Funds Upgrade of Philippine Naval Base Near South China Sea Amid Tensions with China

The Pentagon awarded a $975,000 contract to Ace Builders, Inc. to design and build a small boat maintenance facility at the Philippine Navy’s Naval Detachment Oyster Bay in Western Palawan.

The upgrade will enhance the Philippines’ ability to sustain patrol boats and unmanned surface vessels used in operations against Chinese forces in the South China Sea.

The base is central to Manila’s maritime monitoring efforts, launching US-provided Cyclone-class patrol boats and Philippine Marine fast boats. The new facility is expected to support unmanned vessels, complementing US-supplied drones and training programs for Philippine operators.

This project is part of a broader series of US-funded military construction initiatives in Palawan to strengthen Philippine defenses.

The support follows heightened clashes with Chinese forces, including a 2024 incident at Second Thomas Shoal in which a Philippine Navy SEAL was injured.

Additional US contracts in Palawan include facilities in Quezon municipality to extend Manila’s small boat operations near contested shoals.

 

USS George Washington Departs Japan to Resume Indo-Pacific Patrol After Delay

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) left Yokosuka, Japan, on Tuesday to continue its Indo-Pacific patrol after a one-day delay.

The forward-deployed carrier, the only US carrier currently operating in the region, will first conduct fixed-wing aircraft carrier qualification training off Kyushu until October 5 before continuing operations.

Japanese officials have requested the US Navy limit late-night training flights at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni due to noise concerns.

The deployment follows George Washington’s previous patrol from June to August, which included a port visit to Manila, participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre alongside HMS Prince of Wales, and multilateral drills in the Philippine Sea with US and Japanese ships.

Other US Navy movements in the region this week included USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) departing Busan after engagements with South Korean officials, USS Benfold (DDG-65) leaving Yokosuka after a decade forward-deployed to relocate to Everett, Washington, and USS Santa Fe (SSN-763) returning to San Diego from a six-month Indo-Pacific deployment.

 

Sources: News Agencies