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Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this Monday Headline Brief of The Wright Report, Bryan examines the rising risk of war with Venezuela, secret peace talks over Ukraine, the abduction of Christian schoolchildren in Nigeria, Israel's shifting posture in Gaza and Lebanon, and the domestic political fight over sedition and extremist rhetoric inside the United States government.
U.S. and Venezuela Move Closer to War:
President Trump authorized covert CIA operations inside Venezuela, prompting the FAA to warn airlines about dangerous conditions in Venezuelan airspace. Reports from Bloomberg, Reuters, and the New York Times confirm GPS jamming and rising military activity. A Russian oil tanker headed for Caracas was turned away twice by the USS Stockdale and is now anchored off Cuba. Bryan notes that the White House still hopes for a peaceful exit by President Maduro, with Colombia offering asylum in exchange for guarantees of no future attempts to kill or arrest him.
Trump's Ukraine Peace Plan Faces Pushback:
A secret twenty-eight-point peace plan leaked last week, calling for Ukraine to give up parts of the Donbas, reduce its military to six hundred thousand troops, and abandon NATO membership. The plan would also restore economic ties between Russia and the West and release frozen Russian funds for joint rare earth projects. European leaders object, and President Zelenskyy says negotiations must continue, insisting Ukraine needs a larger standing army to deter future invasions. Bryan emphasizes that Trump wants the deal signed by Thanksgiving, warning Zelenskyy that U.S. support may end if he refuses.
Ukraine's Deepening Corruption Crisis:
Fifteen to thirty percent of aid intended for Ukraine's military and energy needs has been stolen, according to recent reporting. Several allies of Zelenskyy have been arrested, and the president's key aide, Andriy Yermak, is widely suspected of involvement. Ukraine's anti-corruption agency plans more indictments this week, placing Zelenskyy in a weakened negotiating position.
Islamists Kidnap Christian Children in Nigeria:
Three hundred Christian students were abducted from a Catholic school in central Nigeria. About fifty escaped by fleeing into the forest and hiding until farmers rescued them. Boko Haram and other jihadist factions are believed to be responsible. Bryan warns that these groups aim to build an Islamic caliphate across the Sahel and into the Gulf of Guinea, threatening regional Christians and strategic minerals such as cocoa, iron ore, bauxite, and oil. Trump has warned Nigeria that failure to protect Christians could trigger U.S. military action.
Israel Reshapes Gaza and Expands Strikes in Lebanon:
U.S. troops are withdrawing from Gaza's coordination center. Israeli, Arab, and vetted Palestinian officials will manage reconstruction in a new "Green Zone," while unvetted Palestinians remain in a devastated area controlled by Hamas. Polling shows Hamas' support has risen inside Gaza, meaning roughly half the population may remain under militant control. Israel also intensified operations in Lebanon, killing Hezbollah's top military commander in a drone strike despite an ongoing ceasefire.
Jewish Extremists Spark Crisis in the West Bank:
Prime Minister Netanyahu convened emergency meetings after Jewish extremists torched Palestinian homes and cars in a village attack. Israeli officials say about two hundred seventy young men are responsible for the most recent incidents and vow to act.
Sedition Caucus Escalates Rhetoric Against Trump:
Former CIA, FBI, and military officials who now serve as Democrats in Congress released a video urging service members to resist unlawful orders from President Trump. Senator Elissa Slotkin admitted she knows of no unlawful orders but says such orders might come. Bryan calls the effort a psychological operation designed to sow confusion inside the military. Legal experts warn that service members who refuse lawful orders could face court-martial and prison.
Trump Meets NYC's Socialist Mayor Elect:
Zohran Mamdani met with President Trump on Friday, and the two agreed on issues such as electricity costs and housing. Mamdani later repeated his belief that Trump is a fascist and a Nazi, prompting Republican leaders like Elise Stefanik to call Mamdani a jihadist with a long documented history of radical associations. Bryan argues the evidence strongly supports Stefanik's view and warns against normalizing Mamdani's ideology.
Eric Swalwell Runs for Governor of California:
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