Leaderboard

WARNING ORDER MSOT 8312 Viking SITUATION: MSOT 8312 has worked really hard lately. You deserve a beach episode. A day off has been permitted with moderate alcohol consumption courtesy of Manuel Diego Esperanza, owner of a local Tiki theme bar. LTC Brueske has volunteered to man the BBQ pit. ENEMY: Poor weather MPs FRIENDLY: Local Jetski rental place Manuel Diego Esperanza: Tiki bar owner MISSION: MSOT 8312 will Have a good time 160th SOAR will Provide BBQ support to MSOT 8312 COMMANDERS INTENT: Party! RECONNAISSANCE: WEATHER: Sunny 14NOV24 IU 17:00 SPECIAL EQUIPMENT Beachwear, Jetskis, rental cars SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS Each element will designate a driver. Early load-in will be permitted around 19:20-19:30 EST ROE: Do not engage the tiki bar with excessive force. Code Words LAST CALL: Wrap up the night, time to go home. END WARNING ORDER

U.S. Military Supporting Venezuelan Rebels; Incident Highlights Challenges in New Phase of Democratization U.S. military forces are now operating in northern Venezuela in direct support of the Transitional Council’s rebel forces, following the death of Nicolás Maduro and the collapse of his loyalist government in much of the country. Marines and other U.S. personnel are working alongside rebel units to secure key infrastructure, stabilize contested regions, and prepare for humanitarian operations. The Pentagon confirmed the mission, stating, “U.S. forces are operating in support of efforts to restore democratic governance, uphold security, and protect civilians in coordination with Venezuela’s internationally recognized Transitional Council upon their request.” American personnel can be seen alongside rebel checkpoints and facilities, operating under U.S. flags. However, this new mission has not been without complications. During a routine security operation north of Chinu, a U.S. Marine vehicle reportedly opened fire on a civilian car after the driver failed to comply with checkpoint instructions. Though no injuries occurred, the vehicle was heavily damaged and the incident has sparked local frustration. The civilian involved, Luis Herrera, a 62-year-old delivery driver, spoke angrily to local media: “I did nothing wrong. I slowed down and then even stopped the car about 200 metres from their checkpoint. They didn’t say stop, they didn’t say go, and then suddenly they opened fire, when I tried to turn around, like I’m some kind of criminal. I ran for my life!” Herrera expressed outrage that no one from the U.S. forces had apologized directly, adding, “I worked ten years to buy that car. Now it’s scrap metal because some foreign soldier got nervous. Additionaly, it took me hours to find my way out of the jungle and I missed my granddaughter's wedding in Montelibano because of all this!” Mr. Herrera at the site of the alledged incident U.S. military officials declined to comment directly on the reported incident near Chinu, citing policies against discussing ongoing operations. A Pentagon spokesperson stated, “We do not comment on the specifics of operational movements or engagements in areas where U.S. forces may be present in support roles. However, we take any allegations of harm to civilians seriously and expect all personnel to uphold the highest standards of conduct and established Rules of Engagement.” Officials emphasized that any U.S. presence in the region is strictly focused on security cooperation and humanitarian preparation, not on direct engagement with Venezuelan civilians. Regarding compensation for the damaged vehicle, officials said such matters would be handled through appropriate local or transitional authorities, not through U.S. channels. Mr. Herrera with his damaged vehicle Editorial: Venezuela and the Perils of Another U.S. Intervention The recent news that U.S. military forces are operating openly in northern Venezuela in support of the Transitional Council should give everyone reason to pause. History has shown time and again that even well-intentioned interventions can spiral beyond their original objectives, leaving behind instability, resentment, and unintended consequences. The U.S. mission in Venezuela is framed as supporting democracy, protecting civilians, and helping stabilize a broken nation. These are admirable goals — but they sound strikingly familiar. From Vietnam and Iraq to Afghanistan, the pattern is clear: initial success breeds mission creep, which causes mistakes in turn causing friction with the local population. Eventually the backlash against foreign troops grows and they become seen not as liberators but occupiers. Already, the signs are there. The minor incident at a checkpoint — a Marine vehicle opening fire on a civilian’s car — has sparked anger and distrust among Venezuelans simply trying to survive. For Luis Herrera, the civilian whose livelihood was wrecked through no fault of his own, this is not a humanitarian mission. It’s an occupying force breaking things and walking away. Multiply that frustration by a thousand small mistakes, and goodwill evaporates fast. America’s military presence may help secure the Transitional Council’s fragile hold on power for now. But Washington must ask itself the harder question: how long will we stay, and at what cost? Stability cannot be imposed at gunpoint, and democracy rarely takes root under the shadow of foreign boots. If the U.S. is serious about helping Venezuela, it must ensure its presence does not sow the seeds of the next insurgency. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Inés Suárez, On-Site Correspondent Del Mundo This article may also interest you: Two children killed by anti-personnel mines in the jungle near the town of Caucasia.

When Protocol Collides with Power: A Diplomatic Misstep in Washington Washington’s quiet summer night was interrupted not by an international crisis in the usual sense, but by a seemingly banal traffic incident. Yet, in the space of a few hours, it evolved into a textbook example of how fragile the choreography of diplomacy can be. The principal actor: Crown Prince Moulay Idris El Mansour of Morocco, heir to a monarchy that remains one of the United States’ most reliable partners in North Africa. The episode unfolded in the streets of Georgetown, where the Prince’s convoy allegedly brushed against another vehicle. While no injuries were reported, the interaction between the Prince’s security detail and the Metropolitan Police quickly descended into confusion. Officers, unbriefed on the presence of a foreign royal with full diplomatic immunity, attempted to question — and, according to witnesses, briefly restrain — a member of the entourage. Passerby footage of the diplomatic faux-pas was posted online. Here, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 should have acted as the invisible script, ensuring the encounter concluded without incident. Instead, a lack of familiarity with its provisions exposed the limits of protocol training in local law enforcement. In Rabat, the Royal Cabinet responded within hours. Its communiqué spoke of “regrettable treatment” and “the erosion of mutual respect.” The language was restrained but unmistakable — a signal that even an incident without physical harm could register as a breach of the delicate balance that underpins bilateral ties. The United States, conscious of Morocco’s role as a linchpin in regional security — from counterterrorism cooperation in the Sahel to mediation in the Western Sahara dispute — moved swiftly. A senior delegation from the State Department will travel to Rabat in the coming days to offer what officials term “clarification and reaffirmation.” This rush to mend fences is not mere courtesy. Morocco occupies a strategic crossroads: an interlocutor between Arab, African, and Western spheres; a monarchy that has navigated upheavals in the region without succumbing to them. For Washington, any fissure in this relationship could reverberate through trade agreements, military cooperation, and shared intelligence frameworks. The Crown Prince himself has remained silent, leaving his image to be shaped by photographs of a smiling departure from Dulles International Airport. Whether this smile signals magnanimity or calculated restraint is a matter for speculation. “Seeing you smile, I know immediately that you are dwelling in awareness. Keep this smile always blooming, the half-smile of a Buddha.” In the end, the episode is a reminder that diplomacy is not only conducted in summits and communiqués. It can just as easily hinge on a street corner, in the span of minutes, when the symbolic weight of a crown meets the procedural blind spots of a capital city. Revue Diplomatique Rachid Benyamina – North Africa and Sahel specialist

Joint US-Venezuelan operation captures notorious warcriminal. With official US involvement in stabilization efforts following the Venezuelan civil war confirmed ADANews has been given exclusive insight into some of the more sensitive parts of this operation. While images of US Marines guarding humanitarian supply posts and patroling major Venezuelan cities have been flooding social media in recent days, in the background more clandestine missions are carried out. American special forces have been conducting a large scale manhunt for a number of high profile members of the fallen Maduro regime. Some of these people have surrendered themselves to SUG forces but many more have fled into the more remote parts of the country along with the remnants of the former Venezuelan army. As a journalist for ADANews I was granted a rare permission to accompany US forces on one of these missions. I was taken blindfolded in a car to a remote staging area where I was intorduced to several masked and armed men. The men were identified simply as "Team Black" and "Team Green". It was explained to me that "Team Green" was the first unit in a program by the new Venezuelan government to build a western style special forces unit and "Team Black" was responsible for training and advising this unit. I was not informed what US Unit "Team Black" was part of. I was allowed to sit in on the teams briefing but was not allowed any camera or recording equipment. The plan layed out was a bold one and bordered on foolish. A daring raid against a townhouse in a remote village in broad daylight. One of the Venezuelan soldiers questioned why it would be done during daytime and the reson given was that the target was most likely not planning an overnight stay. The team had to go now, or be forced to wait until the next opportunity. The soldier seemed content with that reply. The target of the raid was one "Brigadier General Ernesto Molina". A man responsible for multiple terror campaigns again dissenting elements within Venezuela both before and during the civil war. The trip to the remote village took place in unmarked Toyota Landcruisers, as one of the soldiers put it: "If we roll in with big, lumbering military vehicles the rebels just run and hide in the jungle". The trip took no more than 20 minutes and when we arrived at the village the soldiers quickly lept out of the vehicles and surrounded what they had called "the target building". Three armed men came out on the building porch and were immedietly gunned down. The soldiers then stormed the building using a sledgehammer to break open the front door. I was left alone with the vehicles for about 5 minutes during which no gunfire was heard. After 5 minutes had passed the soldiers came back out with a handcuffed man and I was permitted to take one picture of the group before quickly being bundled back into the vehicles and driven back to the base we came from. Ernesto Molina was escorted away from the vehicles and into a different house. All my camera and recording equipment were seized by "Team Black" and only returned to me 2 days later having been "sanitized" Team Black and Team Green with the captured Brigadier General Molina Simon Tam War Correspondent ADANews

WARNING ORDER MSOT 8313 Hades SITUATION: With the collapse of the Venezuelan loyalist forces and the consolidation of the SUG forces across the North of the country, most direct engagements have ended with conventional forces. However, there are still pockets of loyalist resistance, and they appear to be attempting to establish an insurgency. SUG forces have been recognized as the legitimate government, but since they are overstretched attempting to solidify their new position, they have requested aid. Washington has agreed to help and is deploying us as advisors and support personnel to bolster the new Venezuelan forces. Use of identifiable markers for US personnel are now required and given our new role, we are not authorized to engage unless fired upon, unless explicitly instructed otherwise. ENEMY: The main OPFOR in this AO are the remnants of Loyalist units that were defeated conventionally and are now attempting to fight an insurgency. Force size, equipment, and exact tactics are unknown at this time. Expect normal insurgent actions. FRIENDLY: Venezuelan SUG forces. Note: SUG forces have not yet been able to provide uniforms for all its soldiers. Expect some degree of variation and even civilian clothing in some cases. MISSION: MSOT 8313 will Link up with friendly forces and escort them with MRAPs to OBJ GULL Be ready for possible further tasking 160th SOAR will Support MSOT 8313 Be ready for possible further tasking COMMANDERS INTENT: Provide deterrence against any attempt to hinder SUG forces moving South RECONNAISSANCE: The accuracy of enemy positions along the front lines is based on possibly outdated intel given the fluid situation, and it should not be heavily relied upon. 8313 AO WEATHER: Rainy 11NOV24 IU 12:00 SPECIAL EQUIPMENT M-ATVs, SLAT Armor kit. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS ROE: 1. Do not fire unless hostile intent is shown. (Pointing weapons in your direction, maneuvering on your position, attempting to interfere with the convoy) 2. Armed civilians will be present in your AO, they are not to be engaged unless displaying hostile intent. 3. SHOUT, SHOW, SHOOT (Warning shots should be attempted but we recognize that this may not always be practical when faced with speeding vehicles and poor sightlines. Attempting to disable vehicles is preferable to killing the driver) 4. Respect civilian property (Minimize use of HE in and around structures whenever possible) 5. No entry in this ROE should be interpreted as forcing you to endanger your team needlessly. Exercise sound judgement at all times. Code Words SHATTER: Sending station is combat ineffective. HAVOC: Comms compromised, scramble comms. END WARNING ORDER