As the dust settles from a tense 2024 election, Donald Trump has officially been elected the 47th President of the United States. Here’s what you need to know about the latest developments in defense and global affairs this Wednesday, November 6.
Federal Agencies Debunk Russian Disinformation Ahead of Election Day
On the eve of Election Day, US federal law enforcement and election security agencies announced they had debunked two new instances of Russian election disinformation aimed at undermining trust in the voting process.
In a joint statement, officials highlighted a false article claiming US officials in key swing states were plotting voter fraud and a misleading video that suggested election fraud in Arizona.
According to intelligence from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI, and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Russian-linked actors are busy creating fake articles and videos to instill fear in voters and cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election. They warned that these efforts could incite violence against election officials.
In response, the Russian Embassy dismissed these claims as “baseless,” insisting that Russia doesn’t interfere in other countries’ affairs.
Federal officials cautioned that more disinformation could emerge on Election Day, with Russia identified as the biggest threat to US election integrity. They also noted that Iran poses a significant influence threat, highlighting recent hacking attempts aimed at damaging political candidates.
The statement emphasized that these disinformation campaigns are part of a broader strategy by Russia to create discord among American voters, with intelligence assessments suggesting a preference for Republican candidates in the upcoming elections.
US officials have also flagged Iranian actors for creating fake news sites and impersonating activists to sway voters.
Israel’s Defense Minister Gallant Loses Job as Netanyahu Reshuffles Leadership
In a surprising move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, amid ongoing conflicts in the region.
This decision, first reported Tuesday, comes after the two have clashed over how to handle the war in Gaza, with Netanyahu citing “significant gaps” and a “crisis of trust” between them.
The Prime Minister stressed that complete trust is essential during wartime but noted that their relationship had deteriorated over the months.
Initially, Israel’s leadership appeared unified following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, but as the situation evolved, stark differences emerged.
Netanyahu favors continued military action against Hamas, while Gallant has advocated for a more diplomatic approach, emphasizing that military pressure is crucial for reaching a deal that could secure the release of hostages.
Gallant, who is well-respected and known for his straightforward style, expressed his lifelong commitment to Israel’s security in a statement.
This isn’t the first time Netanyahu has considered firing Gallant; previous attempts led to significant public protests. Gallant’s replacement will be Foreign Minister Israel Katz, a loyal ally of Netanyahu.
Netanyahu, in his announcement, mentioned his efforts to mend the rift with Gallant, stating that the differences had become public knowledge, which benefited their enemies.
Just hours after Netanyahu’s surprise dismissal of Gallant, thousands of protesters flooded into central Tel Aviv, blocking major highways and causing traffic chaos, the Associated Press reported.
Many in the crowd waved blue and white Israeli flags while others blew whistles and pounded drums around several bonfires. Demonstrations also erupted outside Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem, with more protests popping up across the country, leading to scuffles between police and protesters.
This upheaval comes at a tense moment, as Israeli troops are still deeply engaged in Gaza a year after their invasion, which has resulted in over 43,000 Palestinian deaths, including many civilians, and significant destruction.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces are continuing their ground invasion against Hezbollah in Lebanon, where hundreds of Israeli soldiers have also lost their lives.
On the broader front, Israel is dealing with clashes against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, while tensions with Iran heighten after the country vowed revenge for an Israeli strike linked to previous attacks.
The White House, while not commenting directly on Gallant’s firing, acknowledged him as “an important partner on all matters related to the defense of Israel,” emphasizing that they look forward to working with the next defense minister.
Israeli Forces Kill Seven Palestinians in West Bank Operations
Palestinian officials reported Tuesday that Israeli forces killed at least seven Palestinians during various operations in the West Bank, with the military confirming they were targeting militants.
In the town of Tammoun, two men lost their lives, and the governor of the nearby city of Tubas described the tragic aftermath of an airstrike, saying one body was “torn to pieces.”
The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the deaths, noting that one of the deceased’s identities remains unknown as the Army withheld the body.
The Israeli military explained that they carried out an operation involving helicopters and vehicles, encircling areas around Tammun and Far’a.
During this operation, they exchanged fire with militants, discovered explosives in a mosque, and conducted airstrikes that resulted in two armed militants being killed.
In another airstrike in Qabatiyah, two more Palestinians were killed, both of whom were related and aged 40 and 38, according to local officials, AFP News reported.
The military stated they acted in response to fire and explosives thrown at troops during the operation, resulting in the deaths of the suspects and the arrest of several others.
Later in the day, three additional Palestinians were killed in Qabatiyah, following gunfire incidents. The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that two bodies were retrieved from a vehicle, while the third was shot inside a home.
Since the outbreak of war in Gaza on October 7 last year, violence in the West Bank has surged. According to the Palestinian health ministry, at least 757 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers, while official Israeli figures report that Palestinian attacks have resulted in 24 Israeli deaths during the same timeframe.
Soldier’s Injury Sparks Controversy in Gaza Mission
The US Army has confirmed Tuesday the death of Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, a 23-year-old soldier who was seriously injured during a humanitarian mission in Gaza this summer.
He passed away on October 31 after spending time in a long-term care facility. Details about how Stanley was injured remain unclear, as military officials have kept the specifics under wraps since reports emerged of injuries sustained during the mission back in May.
Col. John Gray, commander of Stanley’s unit, the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary, praised him as a respected leader who played a vital role in the mission aimed at delivering aid to Gaza.
The mission itself, which involved building a small pier to facilitate the transfer of food and supplies, had its share of controversy, with critics questioning its effectiveness and accusing it of being more of a publicity stunt.
Initially, it was reported that Stanley was injured while working on a staging platform off the Gaza coast. He was later transferred to a hospital in San Antonio, where it was revealed that his condition was more complicated than previously stated, leading to a guardianship request in August on his behalf.
Stanley retired from the Army just days before his death and was awarded several medals for his service. His family has yet to release more information about his passing, and the military has faced questions about why they didn’t announce his death or retirement, especially given the high-profile nature of the mission.
Both the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore system and the Gaza operation are currently under investigation.
Federal Court Imposes 15-Year Sentence on ‘Fat Leonard’
On Tuesday, federal judges handed down a 15-year prison sentence to Leonard “Fat Leonard” Francis, the mastermind behind a massive Navy fraud and bribery scandal.
Francis received 164 months for his scheme plus an extra 16 months for skipping his initial sentencing hearing after he fled to Venezuela.
Although his total sentence is 15 years, he gets credit for the time he’s already spent in custody, which means he’ll likely be behind bars for about 8.5 years unless he’s released early.
In addition to his prison time, Francis has to cough up a $150,000 fine and pay back $20 million to the Navy, along with forfeiting $35 million that he gained from his fraudulent activities.
US Attorney Tara McGrath pointed out that Francis exploited taxpayer dollars while damaging the integrity of the US Navy, but she noted that justice has finally been served.
Francis, a Malaysian national and former president of Glenn Defense Marine Asia, was heavily involved in the corruption scandal that rocked the Navy.
In 2015, he took a plea deal for bribing military officials with fancy dinners and stays in exchange for lucrative contracts for his company. His cooperation helped implicate around three dozen military officials.
After being convicted in 2015, Francis had been under home detention due to health issues, including renal cancer. However, just weeks before his scheduled sentencing in September 2022, he fled, first going to Mexico and then Cuba, before getting caught in Venezuela while trying to catch a flight to Russia.
The US finally extradited him back to the States in December 2023.
North Korean Units Take Fire as Ukraine’s Battle Intensifies
North Korean troops recently sent to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine have already come under fire, according to a Ukrainian official on Tuesday.
This marks the first time it has been reported that North Korean units have been hit since their deployment, which has added a new twist to the conflict as it nears its 1,000-day mark.
Andrii Kovalenko, who heads the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraine’s Security Council, noted on Telegram that these troops were shelled in Russia’s Kursk region, although he didn’t provide any further details.
It was expected that the North Korean soldiers would be sent to this border area, where Ukrainian forces have been pushing into Russian territory for the first time since World War II, putting pressure on the Kremlin.
The US, South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence suggest that up to 12,000 North Korean combat troops are joining the fight under an agreement with Moscow.
However, the effectiveness and battle experience of these troops remain unclear, and their involvement could complicate Ukraine’s already challenging situation on the battlefield.
Ukrainian defenses, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region, are under significant stress due to a sustained Russian offensive, with the UK Defense Ministry reporting recent Russian advances of more than 5 miles in some areas.
Despite heavy casualties, Russia continues to replenish its troops through a recruitment drive, maintaining battlefield initiative.
On the civilian front, Russia has intensified long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, including a recent strike on Zaporizhzhia that resulted in six deaths and 16 injuries.
Andrii Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, called for stronger action from Ukraine’s Western allies to stop the ongoing attacks.
