United States Defense and Military Forces – Page 12 – War Watch

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An Emboldened Trump Makes Big Bets in Venezuela, Iran and Beyond
ByDavid E. Sanger January 14, 2026January 14, 2026

President Trump has left himself plenty of room for maximal intervention. But there are a host of potential wild cards, each with risks for the president.

Read More An Emboldened Trump Makes Big Bets in Venezuela, Iran and Beyond
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Trump Says U.S. Is ‘In Charge’ of Venezuela, While Rubio Stresses Coercing It
ByEdward Wong January 4, 2026January 5, 2026

The secretary of state said that a military “quarantine” on some oil exports would stay in place to put pressure on the country’s acting leadership.

Read More Trump Says U.S. Is ‘In Charge’ of Venezuela, While Rubio Stresses Coercing It
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Ships and Shipping | United States Coast Guard | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | Venezuela

Crew Paints Russian Flag on Oil Tanker Pursued by the U.S. Coast Guard
ByEric Schmitt and Nicholas Nehamas December 30, 2025

The U.S. military tried to intercept the Bella 1 last week in the Caribbean Sea as it headed to Venezuela to pick up oil.

Read More Crew Paints Russian Flag on Oil Tanker Pursued by the U.S. Coast Guard
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Assad, Bashar al- | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Syria | Terrorism | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations

U.S. Strikes Islamic State Targets in Syria
ByEric Schmitt December 19, 2025December 20, 2025

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.

Read More U.S. Strikes Islamic State Targets in Syria
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Trump Orders Blockade of Some Oil Tankers to and From Venezuela
ByEdward Wong December 17, 2025December 17, 2025

The move is an escalation of military operations and a pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s leader. But its scope and economic impact are not clear.

Read More Trump Orders Blockade of Some Oil Tankers to and From Venezuela
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Venezuela’s Oil Is a Focus of Trump’s Campaign Against Maduro
ByEdward Wong and Julian E. Barnes December 16, 2025December 17, 2025

In public, the White House says it is confronting Venezuela to curb drug trafficking. Behind the scenes, gaining access to the country’s vast oil reserves is a priority.

Read More Venezuela’s Oil Is a Focus of Trump’s Campaign Against Maduro
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Palmyra (Syria) | Syria | Terrorism | United States Defense and Military Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syrian Who Killed U.S. Soldiers Was Member of Security Forces, Officials Say
ByEuan Ward and Eric Schmitt December 14, 2025December 14, 2025

The gunman who killed two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian interpreter had been set to be dismissed from the security forces over his extremist views, U.S. and Syrian officials said.

Read More Syrian Who Killed U.S. Soldiers Was Member of Security Forces, Officials Say
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Deadly Attack on U.S. Troops Poses Growing Challenge for Syria’s Leader
ByAbdi Latif Dahir December 14, 2025December 15, 2025

The attack further complicates President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s efforts to unify the country and rebuild relationships with the international community, analysts say.

Read More Deadly Attack on U.S. Troops Poses Growing Challenge for Syria’s Leader
Assad, Bashar al- | Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Palmyra (Syria) | Politics and Government | Syria | United States | United States Defense and Military Forces

3 Americans Killed in ISIS Attack in Syria, Trump Says, Vowing to Retaliate
ByAbdi Latif Dahir and Christina Goldbaum December 13, 2025December 14, 2025

Two soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed while supporting counterterror operations, the Pentagon said. They are the first U.S. casualties in Syria since the fall of the dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Read More 3 Americans Killed in ISIS Attack in Syria, Trump Says, Vowing to Retaliate
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ISIS Detention Camps Pose a Dangerous Problem for Syria’s Leaders
ByAlissa J. Rubin and Daniel Berehulak December 10, 2025

The government faces a dilemma over what to do with civil-war-era prisons and detention camps that hold thousands of ISIS fighters and tens of thousands of their family members.

Read More ISIS Detention Camps Pose a Dangerous Problem for Syria’s Leaders