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Category: War
April 8, 2025
Jack Montgomery
NatSec
War

EXC: SecDef Hegseth Announces Plans to Reopen Elite, Cold War-Era Military ‘Jungle School’ in Panama.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces plans to partially reopen the “Jungle School” in Panama, a former U.S. jungle warfare training site in the Panama Canal Zone, dormant since 1999.

👥 Who’s Involved: Pete Hegseth, U.S. troops in Panama, President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: Panama, during Hegseth’s trip for the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC), April 8, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I should never put you in a fair fight. My job is to put you in a fight where you are overwhelming.” – Pete Hegseth

⚠️ Impact: Signals a U.S. military push to revive jungle training and reassert influence over the Panama Canal Zone, once American territory.

IN FULL:

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has said he intends to partially reopen the “Jungle School,” where up to 9,000 troops a year trained in jungle warfare from the 1950s to 1999 in the former Panama Canal Zone. Secretary Hegseth made the announcement to U.S. troops in Panama amid an ongoing trip to the Central American country, where he will attend the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC).

Thanking the troops for their service, Hegseth said, “We will have your back; President Trump has asked me to share that with all the groups of troops I talk to,” stressing the importance of the military’s “warrior ethos” to the administration and its determination to rebuild the military.

“I should never put you in a fair fight. My job is to put you in a fight where you are overwhelming… First of all, hopefully, deterring the enemy, [but] if it comes to conflict, overwhelmingly closing with and destroying the enemy,” said Hegseth, himself a decorated former infantry officer.

The Defense Secretary is joined on his Panama trip by Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, providing exclusive coverage and commentary to Pulse+ members as the trip unfolds.

The Panama Canal Zone was under U.S. sovereignty in perpetuity until its surrender to Panama in 1979 under the late Democratic President Jimmy Carter. The canal was largely American-built and funded, and incumbent President Donald J. Trump has expressed a desire to regain control over it, lamenting its handover as one of his predecessors’ worst-ever deals.

“The purpose of our deal [with Panama] and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated,” he said during his inaugural address, noting Chinese involvement in the canal now and vowing, “We’re taking it back.”

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April 8, 2025
Jack Montgomery
War

Trump Admin Saves ‘Tens of Millions’ Pulling Troops from Ukraine Aid Hub, Forces NATO Allies to Step Up.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The U.S. withdraws around 100 troops from Jasionka, Poland, a key weapons distribution center for Ukraine, handing control to European NATO forces.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. Pentagon, Polish Defense Ministry, NATO allies (Spain, Britain, Romania), and Ukraine’s military support network.

📍 Where & When: Jasionka, Poland, near Ukraine’s border, announced April 8, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “After three years at Jasionka, this is an opportunity to right-size our footprint and save American taxpayers tens of millions of dollars per year.” — Gen. Christopher Donahue

⚠️ Impact: Reduced U.S. presence saves cash while European allies pick up extra duties as Ukraine fights on.

IN FULL:

The U.S. has pulled approximately 100 troops from Jasionka, Poland, a critical logistics hub near Ukraine’s border that has been channeling weapons to the Ukrainian military since 2022. This move trims America’s role at a facility that has processed over 113,000 pallets of military aid—artillery shells, drones, and more—shifting primary responsibility to Polish forces and a mix of NATO troops from Spain, the United Kingdom, and Romania.

A small U.S. contingent will stay to oversee operations, but the Army’s 62nd Distribution Company, which ran the site, has withdrawn with its equipment, saving American taxpayers “tens of millions of dollars” annually, per General Christopher Donahue.

Gen. Donahue, the commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, stated, “After three years at Jasionka, this is an opportunity to right-size our footprint and save American taxpayers tens of millions of dollars per year.” The incumbent Trump administration, like the first Trump administration, has indicated that cutting back on foreign “forever wars” and pushing European NATO allies to pull their weight is a key strategic goal.

The hub, just 50 miles from Ukraine, will keep running under Polish command, with the Polish Defense Ministry vowing there will be no disruptions. The timing of the change—amid Ukraine’s ongoing need for supplies—underscores a pivot in which Europe shoulders more while America trims costs and commitments overseas.

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April 8, 2025
NatSec
War

Trump Wants $1 Trillion for Defense — ‘We Have to Be Strong.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump wants a substantial increase to the Pentagon’s budget, raising it to $1 trillion.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

📍 Where & When: The announcement was made in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, on April 7, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We have to build our military, and we’re very cost-conscious, but the military is something that we have to build, and we have to be strong because you’ve got a lot of bad forces out there now,” said Trump.

⚠️ Impact: This budget increase would be the largest in U.S. military history, reflecting a significant shift in defense spending priorities.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump stated plans to approve an unprecedented increase in the U.S. military budget, elevating it to $1 trillion. This figure represents the most substantial military budget in the nation’s history. During an announcement in the Oval Office on April 7, 2025, Trump highlighted the necessity of enhancing military capabilities, citing rising global threats.

“We rebuilt the military during my first term, and we have great things happening with our military. We also essentially approved a budget which is in the vicinity… of a trillion dollars, $1 trillion. And nobody’s seen anything like it,” he told reporters during an Oval Office meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“We have to build our military, and we’re very cost-conscious, but the military is something we have to build, and we have to be strong because you have a lot of bad forces out there now. So we’re going to be approving a budget, and I’m proud to say actually the biggest one we’ve ever done for the military,” he continued, adding: “We’re cutting other things under DOGE. When you look at a woman getting $2 billion for environmental, and it had nothing to do with the environment, and they had $100 in the bank, and they gave her $2 billion, many, many of those cases.”

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praised the budget announcement and thanked President Trump. “President [Trump] is rebuilding our military—and FAST,” Hegseth wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), while emphasizing that the Pentagon will “spend every taxpayer dollar wisely—on lethality and readiness.”

The National Pulse understands that in recent weeks, Elon Musk lobbied for the halving this budget, in a move that caused consternation amongst top MAGA figures at the Pentagon, especially given the precarious global security situation as well as the efforts to secure locations such as the Panama Canal which requires convincing nations that America is investing and expanding its strength harder and faster than the Chinese Communist Party.

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April 8, 2025
Jack Montgomery
War

Zelensky Claims Capture of Chinese Troops Fighting Alongside Russians, Wants Answers from Xi.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Ukrainian forces reportedly engaged with and captured two Chinese soldiers fighting alongside Russians in eastern Ukraine.

👥 Who’s Involved: Ukrainian military, alleged Chinese troops, President Volodymyr Zelensky.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, per President Zelensky on Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: Zelensky stated, “Our military has captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting as part of the Russian army. This happened on Ukrainian territory—in the Donetsk region.”

⚠️ Impact: Ukraine is seeking clarifications from China, and a global response, particularly from the United States and Europe, is anticipated.

IN FULL:

Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese nationals participating in Russia’s invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky claims. These individuals were allegedly operating under Russian military command in the Donetsk region.

Zelensky is directing Ukrainian officials to obtain an official explanation from China and accusing Beijing of supporting Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine.

“Identification documents, bank cards, and personal data were found in their possession,” Zelensky said of the two captives in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units than just these two,” he added.

“Russia’s involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war,” Zelensky argued, insisting the episode “definitely requires a response”—principally “from the United States, Europe, and all those around the world who want peace.”

Previously, it has been reported that a contingent of North Korean troops assisted Russian forces in combatting a Ukrainian counter-invasion of Russia’s Kursk region.

Image by Steve Webel.

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April 7, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Health
War

Trump Admin Reaches Out to Thousands of Veterans Dismissed for Refusing Covid Vax.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell announced a groundbreaking outreach program to reinstate approximately 8,700 service members discharged for rejecting the COVID-19 vaccine, offering them a clear path back to duty.

Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Sean Parnell, and 8,700 affected veterans.

Where & When: Nationwide, starting April 7, 2025, with a reinstatement deadline of February 7, 2026.

Key Quote: “Their service mattered then, and it still matters now. We’re ready to welcome them back!” Parnell declared on X.

Impact: This reversal of Biden-era policy could rebuild trust with sidelined military families and bolster manpower.

IN FULL:

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell has announced the Department of Defense is rolling out the red carpet for roughly 8,700 service members who were kicked to the curb by former President Joe Biden for refusing COVID-19 vaccines. “We’re committed to doing right by those who were affected by the Department’s former COVID-19 vaccination policy,” Parnell posted on X (formerly Twitter). “For the roughly 8,700 service members who were separated solely for refusing the vaccine, this is an opportunity to return to service—and we want them to know the door is open.”

The Pentagon is launching a full-court press to reach all affected veterans with “clear information on how to pursue reinstatement.” They have until February 7, 2026, to decide whether to return to service. Parnell assured the public that the Department is “working hard to make sure each of them receives clear information and support throughout the process.”

Parnell, a retired Army Ranger with a Purple Heart and a Trump loyalist, said of the dismissed veterans, “Their service mattered then, and it still matters now. We’re ready to welcome them back!”

The Trump administration’s policy flip undoes the Biden government’s vaccine mandate, which saw thousands of battle-tested troops discharged at a time when recruitment was already tanking.

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April 1, 2025
News
War

Germany Stations Troops Near Russian Border in Historic Military Move.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: German troops will be stationed permanently along NATO’s eastern flank in Lithuania.

👥 Who’s Involved: Germany’s Bundeswehr, Brigadier General Christoph Huber, NATO.

📍 Where & When: Lithuania, along NATO’s eastern flank; fully operational by 2027.

💬 Key Quote: “We have to ensure the protection, freedom, and security of our Lithuanian allies here on NATO’s eastern flank,” said Brigadier General Christoph Huber.

⚠️ Impact: This marks the first permanent foreign deployment of German soldiers since World War II, strengthening NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe.

IN FULL:

The Bundeswehr has announced that German military personnel will soon be stationed in Lithuania to bolster NATO’s eastern defenses, marking a significant shift in Germany’s post-World War II military deployment strategy. The unit, slated to be fully operational by 2027, represents Germany’s first permanent foreign troop deployment since the war, when Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union.

Brigadier General Christoph Huber, who commands the German brigade in Lithuania, emphasized the mission’s critical objectives. “We have to ensure the protection, freedom, and security of our Lithuanian allies here on NATO’s eastern flank,” said Huber.

The deployment is part of a broader NATO strategy to ensure a robust military presence in Eastern Europe. It aims to deter potential threats by demonstrating the alliance’s commitment to the security of its member states near Russia.

Modern Germany has engaged in some foreign military missions, including their involvement in Afghanistan, but these operations have not been permanent deployments. Stationing troops permanently in Lithuania reflects an evolving security landscape and an increased emphasis on fortifying NATO positions along its eastern borders.

It is also a diplomatic victory for President Donald J. Trump, who has long pushed Germany, as Europe’s economic powerhouse, to pull its weight in defense matters, having hitherto failed to meet its NATO spending targets while enriching Russia through a series of energy deals.

However, the deployment will likely be seen as provocative by Russia, which views its invasion by Germany during the Second World War—or Great Patriotic War—as a defining event. The Kremlin will almost certainly cite the return of German soldiers to Russia’s borders as proof that its hostile posture towards NATO and its entanglement with Ukraine are justified. 

Image by w?odi.

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March 31, 2025
News
War
World

Germany Considers Reinstating Draft, Citing Rising Russian Threat.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Germany’s top general has indicated that the country is considering reinstating conscription to bolster its military forces by 100,000 soldiers.

👥 Who’s Involved: Carsten Breuer, the German Chief of Defence, and other German defense officials are involved in the discussions.

📍 Where & When: The announcement was made on BBC’s Radio 4 on Monday.

💬 Key Quote: Breuer stated, “We won’t get this additional 100,000 soldiers without having one or the other, a model of conscription.”

⚠️ Impact: The potential reinstatement of conscription underscores Germany’s strategic pivot in response to perceived threats, particularly from Russia, and could significantly increase its military personnel.

IN FULL:

Germany is contemplating reinstating military conscription, as conveyed by the nation’s top general. Carsten Breuer, Germany’s Chief of Defence, indicated that reintroducing conscription might be essential to recruit an additional 100,000 soldiers. This move comes in response to growing concerns over the possibility of a conflict with Russia.

Breuer emphasized the necessity of a compulsory service model to meet the recruitment goals necessary for national security. He pointed out that achieving the troop increase without implementing some form of conscription seemed unlikely.

“We won’t get this additional 100,000 soldiers without having one or the other, a model of conscription,” Breuer said.

Highlighting the urgency, Breuer cautioned that Russian forces could potentially threaten NATO territories within four years. This scenario has prompted German defense authorities to propose a substantial military buildup as a deterrent measure. He remarked, “We are threatened by Putin, and we have to do whatever is needed to do to deter, and by building up a strong defence line then you deter best.”

In recent months, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has already floated plans to expand the national armed forces by 50,000, taking the total to 230,000. In May of last year, Pistorius stated that he was already mulling over the idea of introducing conscription for 18-year-olds in Germany to help boost troop numbers.

Germany has a historical precedent for conscription, having enforced mandatory military service for men until 2011 when the policy was shelved.

Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made it clear that he overwhelmingly supports Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and has promised a massive increase in defense spending.

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March 28, 2025
News
UK
War
World

Britain’s Prime Minister is Trying to Derail Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks.

IN BRIEF:

❓What Happened: European leaders discussed the need for progress on a ceasefire in Ukraine and opposed easing sanctions on Russia.

👥 Who’s Involved: Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, Vladimir Putin, leaders from the UK, France, Germany, NATO, and the EU.

📍 Where & When: Talks took place in Paris, with military strategy discussions occurring in London.

💬 Key Quote: “We should be setting a framework and a deadline of delivering real progress,” Sir Keir Starmer said.

⚠️ Impact: Increased international pressure on Russia to engage seriously in peace talks and potential deployment of European forces if an agreement is reached.

IN FULL:

According to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, European leaders have agreed on the necessity of imposing a deadline for Russian progress toward a ceasefire in Ukraine. The decision follows a significant meeting in Paris, where France, Germany, and the United Kingdom vowed to bolster their support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Starmer emphasized that European allies must maintain pressure on Russia, dismissing any immediate options to lift sanctions. “We should be setting a framework and a deadline of delivering real progress,” he said, without specifying a concrete timeline. He stressed the urgency for advancements “in days and weeks, not months and months.”

The meeting and Sir Keir’s remarks come amid an ongoing pause in hostilities in the Black Sea, arranged through US-brokered discussions in Saudi Arabia. Top military officials from the UK, France, and Germany plan to visit Ukraine to strategize on deploying alleged peacekeeping troops in the country.

“Now is not the time for lifting sanctions,” Starmer noted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described sanctions as essential tools for leveraging Russia into serious negotiations.

French President Macron outlined the potential formation of a “reassurance force,” composed of European troops. “These reassurance forces were what was proposed by the French and British not to keep the peace… it’s not about monitoring the forces on the contact line,” Macron stated.

Current fighting continues in Ukraine, with Russia claiming that Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted the regions of Bryansk and Kursk. Moscow has stated these strikes violated an agreement to a ceasefire regarding energy infrastructure.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street. 

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March 27, 2025
News
War
World

Zelensky Rejects Any Peace Deal That Surrenders Territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that Ukraine will not surrender any territories to Russia that have been under Russian control since 2022. Following Russia’s 2022 invasion, regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia have come under Russian control, in addition to Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.

Despite failed offensives to regain control over the territories since 2022, Ukraine, supported by European allies, continues to demand Russia’s withdrawal.

“One thing is certain: we will never cede our occupied territories to Russia. These lands belong to the Ukrainians,” Zelensky said in an interview with Le Figaro.

Ahead of upcoming peace talks, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff suggested Ukraine’s acknowledgment of losing these territories might be pivotal for a peace agreement. This comment sparked objections from Ukraine, with Zelensky urging the dismissal of Witkoff and yet again criticizing President Donald J. Trump’s diplomatic approach toward Russia.

Zelensky expressed skepticism about Trump’s ability to effectively handle relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, cautioning that easing sanctions could be perceived as a weakness. He also accused Russia of obstructing peace negotiations, alleging that Moscow demands preconditions like lifting sanctions before agreeing to a ceasefire.

While President Trump has engaged in dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a ceasefire, the Russians have accused the Ukrainians of violating an agreement not to target energy infrastructure. Zelensky and his officials continue to undermine the Trump administration’s efforts while European nations like France and the UK talk of deploying troops to the country.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that Ukraine will not surrender any territories to Russia that have been under Russian control since 2022. Following Russia's 2022 invasion, regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia have come under Russian control, in addition to Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. show more
March 27, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
War
World

Zelensky Launches Scathing New Attack on Trump Team – ‘He’s Good at Real Estate, This is Different.’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to make backhanded comments at the administration of President Donald J. Trump, claiming that Europe, unlike the United States, “has discipline and no chaos.” He also accused members of the administration of falling for Russian propaganda surrounding the conflict, in comments reported by the BBC this week.

Zelensky singled out a friend of President Trump, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who recently appeared in an interview with Tucker Carlson and spoke at length about the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“I think that Witkoff often quotes the Kremlin narratives… I can’t be ungrateful to the Americans for everything they did, but they are often, unfortunately, under the influence of Russian narratives,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader went on to seemingly insult Witkoff, saying, “He doesn’t look like a military man. He doesn’t look like a general, and he doesn’t have such experience. As far as I know, he is very good at selling and buying real estate. And this is a little different.” Zelensky, a former television comedian, also has no prior military command experience.

The remarks come just weeks after a disrespectful Zelensky was kicked out of the White House after President Trump warned him that he was gambling with World War Three. While Zelensky attempted to apologize for his behavior, Ukrainian officials continued attacking the Trump administration.

Zelensky has a history of ungrateful behavior behind closed doors. A phone call between him and former President Joe Biden in June 2022 revealed that he had angered the former President with his lack of gratitude and constant demands.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to make backhanded comments at the administration of President Donald J. Trump, claiming that Europe, unlike the United States, "has discipline and no chaos." He also accused members of the administration of falling for Russian propaganda surrounding the conflict, in comments reported by the BBC this week. show more