The Breakdown 23

• A controversial series of U.S. military strikes targeting alleged drug boats in international waters has ignited fierce debate over their legality and ethical implications, with mounting calls for transparency from Congress.
• Admiral Frank M. Bradley, the commander behind these operations, has admitted that some of the targeted vessels were not headed toward the U.S., undermining earlier justifications for the attacks.
• The strikes resulted in the deaths of several individuals, including those reportedly surrendering or clinging to wreckage, raising serious questions about the military's engagement rules and treatment of survivors.
• As part of "Operation Southern Spear," these aggressive tactics have led to the targeting of nearly 90 suspected narco-traffickers, with claims of terrorist affiliations invoked to rationalize the use of lethal force.
• Critics from various political backgrounds, including military veterans, are voicing concerns over the safety of U.S. troops and the potential violations of human rights stemming from these operations.
• The unfolding events reflect a significant and contentious moment in U.S. military strategy, challenging the boundaries of lawful engagement while intensifying scrutiny over the country's counter-narcotics efforts in the Pacific.