The President's Daily Brief PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 23rd, 2025: MYSTERY: U.S. Special Ops ‘Ghost Ship’ Spotted Off Venezuela & Kyiv Targets Moscow Again
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Sep 23, 2025 A mysterious U.S. special ops vessel, dubbed the 'ghost ship,' has emerged off the coast of Venezuela, raising eyebrows about its covert operations. Meanwhile, Ukraine has unleashed its largest drone attack on Moscow in months, showcasing its resilience and the challenges faced by Russian air defenses. The discussion reveals the evolving dynamics in geopolitics and military strategy, highlighting both daring maneuvers and the stakes involved.
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Ghost Ship Is A Mobile Covert Base
- The Ocean Trader is a covert floating special-operations base disguised as an 11,000-ton cargo ship.
- It can host ~160 operators, launch helicopters, fastboats, and support deniable missions far from U.S. shores.
Reappearance Suggests New Operations
- Satellite imagery shows the ghost ship parked within reach of Venezuela after last being seen near Bahrain in May.
- Its reappearance raises questions about planned operations in the Caribbean beyond prior drone strikes.
Dual Signals: Overt And Covert Pressure
- The U.S. is expanding visible and covert assets in the Caribbean, from destroyers to the Ocean Trader.
- That dual posture signals willingness to use both overt pressure and clandestine options against cartels or regime targets.