February 11th, 2025: U.S. Spy Planes Target Drug Cartels & Trump Announces New Tariffs
Feb 11, 2025
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The U.S. military is escalating its surveillance of Mexican drug cartels with nearly 20 spy plane flights recently. President Trump stirs economic waters by announcing a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel imports. Tensions rise in Gaza as the IDF targets Hezbollah, heightening geopolitical conflicts. Additionally, Trump revokes security clearances for former officials, signaling a contentious political landscape and potential retaliatory measures.
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Quick takeaways
The U.S. military's recent surge in spy plane flights over Mexican drug cartels signifies a potential shift towards direct military involvement or enhanced intelligence cooperation with Mexico.
President Trump's reintroduction of high tariffs on steel and aluminum imports not only reignites trade tensions with China but also threatens economic stability in various sectors.
Deep dives
Increased U.S. Military Surveillance of Drug Cartels
The U.S. military has significantly boosted its surveillance of Mexican drug cartels, executing nearly 20 spy flights in the last two weeks. This increase marks a departure from the historical norm of conducting about one mission per month, highlighting the Pentagon's focus on extensive intelligence gathering. Aircraft such as Navy P-8 Poseidons, which are equipped with advanced radar systems, have been employed to track cartel movements both on land and at sea. This intensified surveillance may assist the Mexican military in targeting cartel operations or could indicate preparations for direct U.S. military action against these criminal organizations.
Trump's Return to Tariffs and Trade Tensions
President Trump has announced a new 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, reviving his earlier trade policies aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing. This tariff strategy has been met with immediate retaliation from China, which imposed tariffs on several American exports, including crude oil and machinery. By targeting approximately $450 billion in Chinese goods, Trump’s latest move threatens to escalate trade tensions, potentially leading to inflation and disruptions in various industries. The situation remains precarious, with both countries’ economies under strain and the risk of a prolonged trade war looming.
Israeli Strikes Against Hezbollah Amid Ongoing Tensions
Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon have intensified, targeting weapons depots and tunnels used for arms trafficking, in response to ongoing threats despite a fragile ceasefire. The Israeli Defense Forces maintain that their actions are necessary to neutralize immediate threats, citing Hezbollah's activities that violate ceasefire agreements from late 2024. These strikes underscore the precarious state of regional security, as tensions remain high with diplomatic efforts struggling to stabilize the situation. The Israeli government's commitment to preemptive strikes demonstrates their readiness to act against perceived threats, raising concerns about the durability of peace in the region.
The U.S. military has ramped up surveillance of Mexican drug cartels, with nearly 20 spy plane flights in the past two weeks. Is this just intelligence-gathering for Mexico’s military, or is something bigger in the works?
President Trump reignites a trade battle from his first term, announcing plans to impose a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel imports.
As the ceasefire in Gaza faces new obstacles, the IDF targets Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, raising tensions along its northern border.
And in The Back of the Brief, President Trump escalates his crackdown on former officials, revoking security clearances for key members of the previous administration—and signaling that more could be on the way.
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