Fox-news/politics/defense

• Commander of September attack believed survivors were continuing drug run, report says - The U.S. military commander involved in a deadly Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug vessel believed the survivors were continuing their drug run, a report said.
• Why the media's Hegseth boat-strike tale fails the Pentagon reality test - Media reports conflict on Pete Hegseth's Caribbean strike orders, but war crime allegations lack evidence according to Pentagon veterans familiar with military operations.
• GOP fractures over Hegseth's 'double-tap' Caribbean strike as Congress probes legality - Senate Armed Services Committee gears up for hearings on controversial Caribbean strikes while Republicans remain divided on legality of such attacks on drug boats.
• Hegseth backs special ops chief's 'combat decisions' in deadly Caribbean strike ahead of classified briefing - Pete Hegseth defends military commander as Congress prepares for classified briefing on Sept. 2 Caribbean strike that killed suspected drug traffickers.
• High-stakes US push for Ukraine peace meets hard limits in Moscow - Putin holds key to Ukraine peace as Trump envoy Steve Witkoff arrives in Moscow for crucial talks following weekend negotiations on 19-point proposal.
• Lawmakers skeptical of alleged Hegseth kill orders in Venezuela — but issue stark warning - Congress launches bipartisan probe into the Trump administration's controversial Caribbean drug strikes after reports allege Pete Hegseth ordered killing survivors.
• Trump says 'don't read anything into it' when asked about declaring Venezuela's airspace closed - Trump closes Venezuela's airspace, warns of criminals entering U.S. but tells reporters "don't read anything into it" when asked about potential strikes.