Overview
- The Washington Post reports that President Trump held back‑to‑back meetings with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Kain on potential military action in Venezuela, with U.S. forces in theater prepared and carrier‑based pilots analyzing Venezuelan air defenses as options are refined.
- Trinidad and Tobago announced joint exercises with U.S. forces for November 16–21 using 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit helicopters, adding visible regional activity near Venezuela.
- The New York Times, cited by TASS, says a Pentagon intelligence assessment warns that a proposed sale of 48 F‑35s to Saudi Arabia risks exposure of sensitive technology to China, as Riyadh’s crown prince plans a November 18 visit to Washington for defense talks.
- The Congressional Budget Office estimates a 50% chance that, if the REPO for Ukrainians bill becomes law, the U.S. could confiscate about $2.5 billion of Russian sovereign assets under U.S. control during 2026–2028 for Ukraine support, with interest available without further appropriation.
- President Trump told reporters he intends to resume nuclear tests “very soon” and floated a U.S.–Russia–China denuclearization meeting, while Russia’s Foreign Ministry reiterated it has no plans to attack NATO and said it remains prepared for any developments.