Overview
- The Washington Post reports that senior officials discussed potential strikes for a second day, with forces studying Venezuela’s air defenses from the USS Gerald R. Ford, though no public attack order has been issued.
- President Donald Trump said he has formed an opinion on how to proceed on Venezuela but did not disclose it, adding that the U.S. sees progress on curbing drug flows.
- The Wall Street Journal reports a secret Justice Department memo described fentanyl as a potential chemical weapon in its legal rationale for strikes on suspected trafficking vessels, after roughly 20 boats were destroyed and nearly 80 people killed in recent months.
- Trinidad and Tobago announced joint exercises with the U.S. 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit from November 16–21 focused on counter‑narcotics and confronting armed gangs near Venezuela.
- The Congressional Budget Office estimated a 50% chance that $2.5 billion of Russian sovereign assets under U.S. control could be confiscated between 2026 and 2028 if Congress enacts the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act, while the administration considers broad food tariff exemptions to ease prices.