Fox-news/politics/defense/conflicts

• Trump says Iran already has US terms as military strike clock ticks - Iran offers to discuss nuclear program with U.S. "on an equal footing" as Washington deploys warships to Middle East amid growing diplomatic tensions.
• Pentagon warns future wars may hit US soil as 'direct military threats' grow - Pentagon's new National Defense Strategy prioritizes homeland defense over overseas missions, warning that future wars may hit U.S. soil directly.
• Trump admin sought redactions on key China war game report warning of US military readiness gaps - A new report warns the U.S. could lose the ability to sustain combat within weeks of a China war over Taiwan, as munitions run dry, logistics collapse, and global markets face a $10T shock.
• Iran goes dark as regime unleashes force, cyber tools to crush protests - Iran's government imposes five-day internet blackout as nationwide protests intensify, with at least 646 people killed and over 10,000 arrested during the crackdown.
• Trump calls for $1.5T defense budget to build ‘dream military’ - Trump proposes massive $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, a 50% increase he claims tariff revenues will fund for his ambitious 'Dream Military.'
• Seven US service members injured in Venezuela raid to capture Maduro, official says - Seven U.S. service members injured during alleged Venezuela operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, with five service members returned to duty.
• Putin residence attack video slammed as US officials say Ukraine did not target leader - Defense experts question Russia's drone attack claims against President Vladimir Putin's residence as Moscow provides conflicting accounts of intercepted Ukrainian drones.
• North Korea fires cruise missiles as Kim underscores nuclear ambitions - Kim Jong Un pledges 'unlimited' nuclear development as North Korea test-fires new cruise missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads in war preparations.
• China surrounds Taiwan with warships, fighter jets in largest military drills on record - China launches largest military drills ever around Taiwan as war tensions spike following record $11.1 billion U.S. arms sale to the island nation.
• From Syria to Somalia, US troops remain deployed this holiday season under missions that never formally ended - U.S. troops remain deployed in Syria, Iraq, Somalia and Yemen under war authorities, conducting raids and airstrikes in conflicts most Americans forgot.