Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration is preparing day-after plans for Nicolás Maduro's potential fall in Venezuela.
- Ukraine's President Zelensky is finalizing a new peace proposal for Washington as diplomacy intensifies.
- President Trump prepares to intervene to stabilize a fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia.
- Closing arguments have begun in the corruption and foreign-agent trial of former New York aide Linda Sun.
Deep Dive
- New reporting indicates the Trump administration is developing 'day-after' plans for Nicolás Maduro's potential collapse, including negotiated exits or forced departures.
- The U.S. military seized a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela's coast as part of ongoing pressure.
- Contingency planning involves securing the country, stabilizing institutions, and restoring the economy, aiming to avoid mistakes made in Iraq in 2003.
- Internal divisions exist within the Trump administration regarding aggressive versus cautious involvement in Venezuela policy.
- Fighting has intensified along the Thailand-Cambodia border.
- President Trump is preparing to intervene to preserve a fragile ceasefire he brokered earlier this year.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky is finalizing a 20-point peace proposal for Washington.
- The White House is increasing its diplomatic efforts to end the war.
- Skepticism exists regarding the proposal's effectiveness due to Russia's persistent demands and ongoing diplomatic stalemate.
- Reports suggest a potential for Ukraine to cede territory as part of a settlement.
- Closing arguments are underway in the corruption and foreign-agent trial of Linda Sun, a former New York gubernatorial aide.
- Sun is accused of taking kickbacks and passing information to China during the pandemic.
- Prosecutors allege Sun used her state access to benefit China and her family through kickbacks related to PPE contracts.
- The defense claims her actions were normal responsibilities and legitimate business dealings.
- The prosecution views her alleged actions as foreign influence, self-dealing, corruption, and a national security risk.