The Weekly Report: August 31-September 7
United States
The Department of Defense is now the Department of War. President Trump signed an executive order that would make the change official. Some have argued that this name change is a contradiction to Presidents Trumps view on finding peaceful solutions to conflicts taking place around the world. The Department of Defense was previously known as the Department of War prior to World War II, with President Trump saying that the Department of War better shows our countries military capabilities.
Asia
For the first time a mission that took U.S. Navy Seals from Seal Team six on a mission to North korea that was revealed. The mission which was classified as top secret took place in 2019. The controversy surrounding this mission is that President Trump failed to brief congress on the mission. Ultimately the mission went wrong. When U.S. Navy Seals stepped onto North Korean territory, after begin deployed from a submarine, they saw a boat which led them to believe they had been spotted by North Korean forces. This led them to open fire on the boat killing all on board. However it turned out that these were innocent civilians. Ultimately the mission failed.
Europe
Norway this past week announced a deal worth 13.5 billion dollars to buy warships from Britain. This is one of many steps taken by Norway and other Nordic countries in recent years following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Nordic countries have started to take their defense seriously for the first time in many years as they fear they could be Russias next target.
Americas
The U.S has been actively building up its military presence in the southern Caribbean Sea. This change in military posture comes as tensions with Venezuela have heated up. The U.S. launched a strike against a drug cartel speedboat which resulted in the deaths of all 11 drug traffickers on board. In response two Venezuelan fighter jets flew right over a U.S. warship in a game of tit for tat.
Africa
In Sudan a mud slide resulted in the deaths of around 1000 people. The mud slide took place in Marra Mountains, a remote part of the country. This tragedy comes as Sudan has been ravaged by war. The mud slide happened following days of torrential rain.
Middle East
Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said he would like to see most of the West Bank annexed. Israel, which has come under heavy international condemnation for the situation in Gaza, would see its standing not he international stage drop event lower. How the plan would work is unclear as Smotrich did not provide details of what would happened to the Palestinians living there.
