Start Here Secretary on Defense: Questions Over Caribbean Strikes
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Dec 2, 2025 Anne Flaherty, an ABC News Pentagon reporter, digs into the controversial U.S. strikes near Venezuela, revealing legal quandaries and command disputes. She discusses how the actions may have violated the Geneva Convention and the implications of potential protocol changes. Aaron Katursky, an investigative correspondent, reviews the contentious trial of Luigi Mangione, spotlighting evidence and courtroom drama. Meanwhile, Ben Siegel analyzes the high-stakes Tennessee special election and its significance for Republican dynamics in Congress.
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Legal Grey Zone Around Caribbean Boat Strikes
- The legality of US strikes on drug boats hinges on authorization, JAG review, and whether Congress empowered such actions in the Caribbean.
- Targeting criminal narco-groups raises novel legal questions distinct from battlefield authorizations used in the Middle East.
Second Strike Confirmed, Chain Of Command Unclear
- White House confirmed a second strike killed survivors and said Admiral Bradley ordered it and acted within his authority.
- Officials have not publicly confirmed who exactly ordered what and when, prompting calls for further scrutiny.
Demand The Underlying Legal Authorizations
- Investigators and lawmakers should demand the written authorization and legal memos behind the strikes.
- Scrutinize whether military lawyers cleared the orders and whether statutory authority covers Caribbean operations.