Eric Schmitt
@erschm.bsky.social
Trump escalates pressure on Venezuela but the administration's end game is strategically incoherent, with officials explaining a different mix of grievances, objectives and acceptable outcomes
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
Trump Escalates Pressure on Venezuela, but Endgame Is Unclear
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Trump escalates pressure on Venezuela but the administration's end game is strategically incoherent, with officials explaining a different mix of grievances, objectives and acceptable outcomes
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
As Trump officials weigh the sale of dozens of advanced F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon raises fears that China could acquire the plane's secret technology
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
U.S. Officials Raise Concerns About Saudi Arabia’s Bid for F-35 Jets
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:20 AM
As Trump officials weigh the sale of dozens of advanced F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon raises fears that China could acquire the plane's secret technology
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
The arrival of the aircraft carrier Ford and three other warships in the Caribbean region, and closer to Venezuela, raises the total U.S. force in the region to more than 15,000 troops, the largest military buildup in the area in decades
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/u...
Aircraft Carrier Moves Into the Caribbean as U.S. Confronts Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:40 AM
The arrival of the aircraft carrier Ford and three other warships in the Caribbean region, and closer to Venezuela, raises the total U.S. force in the region to more than 15,000 troops, the largest military buildup in the area in decades
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/u...
The utter unpredictability of Hegseth’s purge of top generals and admirals has created an atmosphere of anxiety and mistrust that has forced senior officers to take sides and, at times, pitted them against one another
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
Hegseth Is Purging Military Leaders With Little Explanation
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The utter unpredictability of Hegseth’s purge of top generals and admirals has created an atmosphere of anxiety and mistrust that has forced senior officers to take sides and, at times, pitted them against one another
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
Hegseth has purged more than two dozen top generals and admirals, in many cases counter to the advice of senior military leaders who fought alongside the officers in combat
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
Hegseth Is Purging Military Leaders With Little Explanation
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Hegseth has purged more than two dozen top generals and admirals, in many cases counter to the advice of senior military leaders who fought alongside the officers in combat
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
U.S. Sends Attack Aircraft to El Salvador Amid Regional Troop Buildup
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...
U.S. Sends Attack Aircraft to El Salvador Amid Regional Troop Buildup
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:09 AM
U.S. Sends Attack Aircraft to El Salvador Amid Regional Troop Buildup
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...
Reposted by Eric Schmitt
🎙️ON AIR:
We're talking with NYT senior national security correspondent @erschm.bsky.social, associate editor for The Atlantic Gisela Salim-Peyer and professor Harold Hongju Koh about Trump's show of force against Venezuela.
📻 Listen:
We're talking with NYT senior national security correspondent @erschm.bsky.social, associate editor for The Atlantic Gisela Salim-Peyer and professor Harold Hongju Koh about Trump's show of force against Venezuela.
📻 Listen:
Trump Ramps Up Military Strikes and Troops Near Venezuela, Amid Questions About Goals and Legality | KQED
The Pentagon announced Friday that the military is sending an aircraft carrier to South America. We talk about the legality of the actions and what the administration hopes to achieve.
buff.ly
October 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
🎙️ON AIR:
We're talking with NYT senior national security correspondent @erschm.bsky.social, associate editor for The Atlantic Gisela Salim-Peyer and professor Harold Hongju Koh about Trump's show of force against Venezuela.
📻 Listen:
We're talking with NYT senior national security correspondent @erschm.bsky.social, associate editor for The Atlantic Gisela Salim-Peyer and professor Harold Hongju Koh about Trump's show of force against Venezuela.
📻 Listen:
Trump expands U.S. military strikes against suspected drug boats into the eastern Pacific, beyond just the Caribbean
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/u...
U.S. Strikes 2nd Boat in Pacific as Antidrug Operation Expands
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Trump expands U.S. military strikes against suspected drug boats into the eastern Pacific, beyond just the Caribbean
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/u...
U.S. to repatriate the two survivors of air strike on suspected drug vessel in Caribbean rather than detain them or prosecute them
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
U.S. to Repatriate Survivors of Its Strike on Suspected Drug Vessel
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 6:27 PM
U.S. to repatriate the two survivors of air strike on suspected drug vessel in Caribbean rather than detain them or prosecute them
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
Two survivors of the latest U.S. strike in Caribbean present a dilemma for the White House: release them, claim it can hold them as indefinite wartime detainees, or transfer them to civilian law enforcement officials for prosecution
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
U.S. Detains 2 Survivors of Latest Military Strike in Caribbean
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Two survivors of the latest U.S. strike in Caribbean present a dilemma for the White House: release them, claim it can hold them as indefinite wartime detainees, or transfer them to civilian law enforcement officials for prosecution
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
After covering the Pentagon for 35 years, I’m turning in my building badge today rather than submit to DoD’s vague new policies that restrict my right to engage in ordinary and legal news gathering. My Pentagon press corps colleagues and I will continue to inform the public
October 15, 2025 at 10:10 AM
After covering the Pentagon for 35 years, I’m turning in my building badge today rather than submit to DoD’s vague new policies that restrict my right to engage in ordinary and legal news gathering. My Pentagon press corps colleagues and I will continue to inform the public
C.I.A.'s deputy director demotes the agency's senior lawyer and then takes on that top legal job, too, but it's not clear why
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/u...
C.I.A. Deputy Director Has Replaced Agency’s Top Legal Official With Himself
www.nytimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
C.I.A.'s deputy director demotes the agency's senior lawyer and then takes on that top legal job, too, but it's not clear why
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/u...
The Pentagon adds new detail to the administration’s thinly articulated legal rationale for why 3 U.S. military strikes Trump ordered on boats in the Caribbean, killing 17 people aboard them, should be seen as lawful rather than murder
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Trump ‘Determined’ the U.S. Is Now in a War With Drug Cartels, Congress Is Told
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The Pentagon adds new detail to the administration’s thinly articulated legal rationale for why 3 U.S. military strikes Trump ordered on boats in the Caribbean, killing 17 people aboard them, should be seen as lawful rather than murder
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
The Pentagon adds new detail to the administration’s thinly articulated legal rationale for why 3 U.S. military strikes Trump ordered on boats in the Caribbean, killing 17 people aboard them, should be seen as lawful rather than murder
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Trump ‘Determined’ the U.S. Is Now in a War With Drug Cartels, Congress Is Told
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The Pentagon adds new detail to the administration’s thinly articulated legal rationale for why 3 U.S. military strikes Trump ordered on boats in the Caribbean, killing 17 people aboard them, should be seen as lawful rather than murder
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Trump ‘determined’ the U.S. is now in a war with drug cartels, Pentagon tells Congress, as legal experts challenge rationale for military strikes against boats in the Caribbean
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Trump ‘Determined’ the U.S. Is Now in a War With Drug Cartels, Congress Is Told
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Trump ‘determined’ the U.S. is now in a war with drug cartels, Pentagon tells Congress, as legal experts challenge rationale for military strikes against boats in the Caribbean
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
In a rambling and sometimes incoherent speech in which he praised his own tariffs and insulted former President Biden, Trump said he told Defense Secretary Hegseth to use U.S. cities as “training grounds” for the military
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/u...
Trump and Hegseth Recount Familiar Partisan Complaints to Top Military Leaders
www.nytimes.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
In a rambling and sometimes incoherent speech in which he praised his own tariffs and insulted former President Biden, Trump said he told Defense Secretary Hegseth to use U.S. cities as “training grounds” for the military
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/u...
Are You Quitting the Military? We Want to Hear From You. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/u...
Are You Quitting the Military? We Want to Hear From You.
www.nytimes.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Are You Quitting the Military? We Want to Hear From You. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/u...
Trump set to attend large gathering of U.S. generals and admirals on Tuesday, overshadowing Hegseth's speech to the officers on "warrior ethos"
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/28/u...
Trump Plans to Attend Gathering of U.S. Military Officers
www.nytimes.com
September 29, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Trump set to attend large gathering of U.S. generals and admirals on Tuesday, overshadowing Hegseth's speech to the officers on "warrior ethos"
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/28/u...
U.S. military buildup in Caribbean signals a broader air, naval and Special Operations campaign against Venezuela
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...
U.S. Military Buildup in Caribbean Signals Broader Campaign Against Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
September 21, 2025 at 1:58 PM
U.S. military buildup in Caribbean signals a broader air, naval and Special Operations campaign against Venezuela
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...
The clandestine deployment of elite U.S. Special Operations forces to the Caribbean suggests that strikes or commando raids inside Venezuela itself may be in the works
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...
U.S. Military Buildup in Caribbean Signals Broader Campaign Against Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
September 20, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The clandestine deployment of elite U.S. Special Operations forces to the Caribbean suggests that strikes or commando raids inside Venezuela itself may be in the works
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...
Upgrades to the Qatari 747 that Trump wants as Air Force One have started but many experts worry he will pressure the Air Force to do the work so fast that sufficient security measures will not be built into the plane
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/u...
Upgrades Begin on Plane Donated by Qatar to Serve as Air Force One
www.nytimes.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Upgrades to the Qatari 747 that Trump wants as Air Force One have started but many experts worry he will pressure the Air Force to do the work so fast that sufficient security measures will not be built into the plane
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/u...
Upgrades begin on Boeing 747 donated by Qatar to serve as Trump's Air Force One
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/u...
Upgrades Begin on Plane Donated by Qatar to Serve as Air Force One
www.nytimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Upgrades begin on Boeing 747 donated by Qatar to serve as Trump's Air Force One
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/u...
U.S. strikes a second Venezuela boat, killing 3, but Trump aides have not offered a detailed legal theory about why it is lawful — and not murder or a war crime — to summarily kill people who are suspected of a crime
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/u...
U.S. Strikes a 2nd Venezuela Boat, Killing 3, Trump Says
www.nytimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 10:33 AM
U.S. strikes a second Venezuela boat, killing 3, but Trump aides have not offered a detailed legal theory about why it is lawful — and not murder or a war crime — to summarily kill people who are suspected of a crime
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/u...
For the 2,300 National Guard troops in D.C., it's a lot picking up trash and spreading mulch, costing taxpayers more than $1 million a day
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/u...
For National Guard Troops in D.C., It’s Trash Pickup and Metro Patrols
www.nytimes.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:27 AM
For the 2,300 National Guard troops in D.C., it's a lot picking up trash and spreading mulch, costing taxpayers more than $1 million a day
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/u...
Is the U.S. going to war with Venezuela? What to know about the rapid U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
What to Know About a Rapid U.S. Military Buildup in the Caribbean
www.nytimes.com
September 6, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Is the U.S. going to war with Venezuela? What to know about the rapid U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...