U.S. Special Forces carried out a raid earlier today in the Idlib Governorate of Northwestern Syria, coordinated with both the Turkish and Syrian Governments, which resulted in the elimination of two senior ISIS officials, one of whom is reported to be Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, who was projected to become the next Caliph of ISIS in Syria. No injuries were sustained by U.S. or Partner Forces during the raid, according to an official with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied claims that any agreements or progress on security guarantees had been made between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin during last week’s meeting in Alaska, adding that Russia expects both Beijing and Moscow will have veto powers over any security guarantees provided to Ukraine by Europe and the United States.

An F/A-18E “Super Hornet” with Strike Fighter Squadron 83 (VFA-83) based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, crashed earlier today during a routine training flight off the coast of Virginia. The pilot of the fighter jet, who was able to successfully eject prior to the crash, was eventually rescued and transported to a hospital after roughly two hours in the water, according Naval Air Force Atlantic.

Update: The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet reports that the fire onboard the San Antonio-Class Amphibious Transport Dock, USS New Orleans (LPD-18), has finally been declared extinguished after over 12 hours of firefighting efforts by the ships crew, supported by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japan Coast Guard, and several U.S. Navy Commands throughout Fleet Activities Okinawa. The cause of the fire, which began at roughly 1600 on August 20 while the ship was anchored off the coast of White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, is still unknown, with the fire being declared out at 0400 on August 21. Two sailors were treated onboard the New Orleans for minor injuries, with the crew expected to remain aboard the ship, though additional services and berthing are available aboard San Diego and Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa.

Several large fires can be seen burning tonight at the Novoshakhtinsk Oil Refinery in the Rostov Oblast of Southwestern Russia, following a Ukrainian drone attack earlier against a number of military and infrastructure targets near the Sea of Azov in Southern Russia.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced yesterday that the entire southern border wall between the U.S. and Mexico will be painted black at the direct request of President Trump, in the belief that the sun will make the metal hotter if it is black, further deterring illegal immigrants from attempting to climb the wall into the United States. Estimates place the cost of painting the entirety of the 1,350-mile border wall at roughly $2.5 Billion.

All of Ukraine is currently under an air raid alert, as both air-launched ballistic and cruise missiles have been launched by Russia.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump plans to sign an executive order on Thursday that would seek to criminalize certain actions related to burning the American Flag, according to NewsNation. The order would direct Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to review cases where someone burned an American Flag and determine whether charges can be brought under existing laws such as public nuisance, disorderly conduct or potential environmental violations, but would not criminalize the actual burning of the American Flag, which would violate the First Amendment of the Constitution.

Very interesting posting earlier from U.S. President Donald J. Trump regarding Ukraine, in which he states: “It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invaders country. It’s like a great team in sports that has a fantastic defense, but is not allowed to play offensive. There is no chance of winning! It is like that with Ukraine and Russia. Crooked and grossly incompetent Joe Biden would not let Ukraine FIGHT BACK, only DEFEND defend — Interesting times ahead!!!”

Something has happened or appears to be happening behind-the-scenes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly “doubled-down” on his previous demands for an end to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, demanding that Ukraine give up all of the Donbas in Eastern Ukraine, renounce ambitions to join NATO, commit to neutrality, and keep Western troops out of the country, three sources familiar with top-level Kremlin thinking told Reuters. In exchange, Russia has agreed to freeze the frontline in both the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts of Southeastern Ukraine.