December 5, 2025

U.S. AND EUROPE | Multiple European leaders have voiced concerns about statements in the latest U.S. National Security Strategy report, which was posted today on the White House website. The report, among others things, states that Europe faces "civilizational erasure" and must change course if it is to remain a reliable ally for the United States, that the U.S. wants to "work with aligned countries that want to restore their former greatness," that it is "far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies," and that "the larger issues facing Europe include activities of the European Union and other transnational bodies that undermine political liberty and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent and creating strife, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence" [full U.S. National Security Strategy report] [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,378 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here is your update:

• Amidst ongoing talks aimed at reaching a cease-fire and peace agreement for the war in Ukraine, Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said yesterday that Ukraine's allies in Europe are “constantly putting forward demands that are unacceptable to Moscow" and hampering negotiations between the U.S. and Russia. [more]

U.S. MILITARY | In a classified briefing to Congressional leaders yesterday, Navy Admiral Frank Bradley said there was no direct order to kill all of the people aboard an alleged drug-carrying boat in the Caribbean in September. Members of Congress differed in their reactions to the briefing, which included information on a second strike on the boat that killed two survivors, ranging from "one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service" to "entirely lawful and needful." [more]

U.S. POLITICS | In a 6-3 emergency ruling yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked a lower court ruling against new congressional re-districting in Texas, saying the state can use its new GOP-favoring district map in next year's mid-term elections and that such a stance was necessary because candidate qualifications have already begun in the re-drawn districts. [more]

DC PIPE BOMBS | Authorities have identified Brian J. Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, as the man arrested and charged with explosives offensives yesterday in connection with the placement of pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican national committee offices in Washington, DC, the night before the January 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol. [more]

U.S. MILITARIZATION | The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit temporarily paused a lower court ruling that called for an end to the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, DC. The Appeals Court said the stay was granted to give time for appeals to play out and "should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits of that motion." [more]

U.S. PROSECUTIONS | A federal grand jury in Virginia rejected the Justice Department's attempt to bring renewed charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James yesterday. The grand jury action came after the previous mortgage fraud prosecution of James was dismissed on the grounds that the U.S. attorney who presented the case was illegally appointed. [more]

U.S. AND KENYA | In the first of what analysts say will be a number of U.S. health funding deals with countries seen as being aligned with President Donald Trump's foreign policy goals and positions, the U.S. and Kenya signed a five-year, $2.5 billion agreement yesterday that focuses on preventing and treating diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. [more]

NATO | Reuters cites unnamed sources as saying the U.S. Department of Defense told European diplomats this week that the U.S. wants Europe to take over the majority of NATO's conventional defense capabilities by 2027. [more]

RUSSIA AND INDIA | Following meetings today in New Delhi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that their countries have finalized a new economic cooperation program through 2030. The agreement comes amidst ongoing U.S. pressure for India to decrease its trade with Russia and follows a February Russia-India pact to improve military cooperation, exercises, port calls, disaster relief assistance, and logistics support. [more]

GERMANY | Amidst ongoing concern over threats posed by Russia, the German parliament approved a plan today aimed at significantly increasing the number of people serving in Germany's armed forces. Officials say the move aims to increase military ranks from about 180,000 today to 260,000 over the next decade, but to do so without reintroducing conscription. [more]

RUSSIA | According to an announcement yesterday, Russian state internet regulator Roskomnadzor began blocking both Snapchat and the Apple video calling service FaceTime in mid-October, claiming the applications were being "used to organize and conduct terrorist activities ... and commit fraud and other crimes against our citizens.” [more]

IRAN | According to state media, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched numerous cruise and ballistic missiles from the country's interior today, hitting targets in the Sea of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz in a second-straight day of naval drills. [more]

MEDIA INDUSTRY | Netflix reportedly agreed today to purchase the television, film, and streaming divisions of Warner Bros Discovery for $83 billion. [more]

SOCCER | The initial draw for the 2026 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 next year, is scheduled to be held today at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. A full schedule of venues and game times is set to be released tomorrow. [more]

EUROVISION | Public broadcasters in the Netherlands, Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia have announced that they will not take part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest following a decision by organizers to allow Israel to compete. Reports note that additional countries are considering pulling out of the 2026 contest in protest of Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1933, national alcohol Prohibition in the United States came to an end as Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, repealing the 18th Amendment. [more history]