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Good morning,
Today’s brief is quite robust and very relevant, so let’s get right into the BLUF.
Reporting Period: November 17-20, 2025
Bottom-Line Up Front:
1. On November 17, the UN Security Council voted to adopt the U.S. peace plan for Gaza. The resolution includes plans for an international security force that will be capable of restoring security and handing over Gaza to a vetted authority in 2027.
2. On November 16, Polish officials stated that saboteurs detonated explosive devices along a key rail line in Poland. Security officials claim that two known Ukrainians working with Russian agents conducted the sabotage.
3. On November 18, President Trump hosted the Saudi Crown Prince at the White House. The pair announced deeper security cooperation and expanded arms sales, as well as substantial Saudi investment in the U.S. economy.
4. On November 19, it was reported that peace terms crafted by American and Russian officials were presented to Kyiv. Ukraine reportedly rejected the terms, calling them “maximalist” aims of the Kremlin. It marks a visit to Ukraine by senior Pentagon officials and Keith Kellogg’s pending resignation.
5. On November 19, Republican legislators introduced two bills that would expand the authorities of CBP and Border Patrol to conduct operations outside of America’s borders. One bill would require DHS to provide a reprot and strategy for dealing with transnational criminal organizations.
UN Adopts American Gaza Peace Plan, Includes Security Force
Summary
On November 17, the UN Security Council voted to adopt the U.S. peace plan for Gaza. The resolution includes plans for an international security force that will be capable of restoring security and handing over Gaza to a vetted authority in 2027.
Findings
United Nations Security Council: The UN Security Council, established as one of six main organs by the United Nations Charter, is responsible for advancing efforts to maintain peace and security (United Nations). The council may develop agreements, undertake investigations, dispatch security forces and missions, appoint envoys, and request the Secretary-General to settle a dispute (United Nations).
The council has five permanent members established in the UN Charter: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China (United Nations).
Ten non-permanent members sit on the council for two-year terms. Currently sitting are: Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia (United Nations).UNSC Session: On November 17, the UN Security Council convened to discuss global security crises and to vote on a resolution for Gaza (NPR, United Nations). The session convened all five permanent UNSC members and the 10 temporary members.
Resolution 2803: The UNSC voted to adopt the American “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” as Resolution 2803 (The Guardian, United Nations). Thirteen UNSC members voted in favor of the resolution, with Russia and China abstaining (NPR, United Nations). The resolution also establishes a “Board of Peace” and authorizes the participating states to begin establishing operational entities to carry out the framework’s objectives (The Guardian, United Nations).
Ensure resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries to non-armed groups and through legal means.
Establishment of an international force for peacekeeping and security (to be referred to as the “Force)
IDF forces will withdraw from Gaza as the Force establishes control and stability, “save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.”
The oversight board and security presence will remain authorized until December 31, 2027, or until further actions are decided.
Security Force: The security force will be made up of international participants (United Nations). It will be under a “unified command” and will oversee demilitarization, civilian and aid escorts, and IDF withdrawals (NPR, United Nations). The Force will also verify the establishment of a “vetted Palestinian police force” (United Nations).
Why This Matters
The UNSC’s adoption of the U.S. plan marks the first fully international mandate to govern post-war Gaza, shifting control from Israel to a foreign security force with an established deadline.
That timeline puts pressure on Brussels (which realistically means Washington) to deliver a workable Palestinian authority by 2027, or risk a power vacuum that could trigger renewed fighting. The international force will have to manage Israeli withdrawals while policing Gaza’s factions, making the credibility of peace dependent on whether a vetted Palestinian security agency can actually function.
Polish Rail Lines Likely Sabotaged By Ukrainians Working With Russia
Summary
On November 16, Polish officials stated that saboteurs detonated explosive devices along a key rail line in Poland. Security officials claim that two known Ukrainians working with Russian agents conducted the sabotage.
Findings
Incident: On November 16, a device exploded and destroyed a section of rail line on the Warsaw-Lublin track near Deblin, Poland (NFP, CNN). Reporting suggests that at least two sections of the rail line were damaged (NFP, CNN). Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed to the Sejm (Polish parliament) that two Ukrainians conducted the sabotage (NFP, CNN). Tusk confirmed the perpetrators escaped to Belarus and had been collaborating with Russian handlers (CNN).
“We are certain that the attempt to blow up the tracks and the violation of railway infrastructure were intentional and aimed at causing a catastrophe in rail traffic… The established perpetrators are two Ukrainian citizens who have been collaborating with Russian services for some time. Their identities are known.”
Doubts: Despite Polish security services stating the perpetrators were known and under surveillance, Poland’s Deputy Interior Minister, Maciej Duszczyk, urged restraint in immediately blaming Russia (CNN). Commenters online also noted that severe weather and poor maintenance can cause similar damage to rail lines (X). Commenters also noted no damage or disruption to the aggregate (ballasts and stones) (X).
Why This Matters
Given Poland’s recent history of enduring Russian sabotage (2023 rail plot, 2024 shopping center fire) as well as credible intelligence from Poland’s security services, it is likely that sabotage played a role here.
Regardless, the damage to the rail line is significant. The rail line is a popular route from Warsaw, which was being used to transport aid to Lublin and on to Ukraine. Additionally, if we are to assume it was an act of sabotage, it marks a significant escalation in hybrid warfare schemes perpetrated by Russian agents in NATO countries, itself a sign of deteriorating stability.
Trump Hosts Saudi Crown Prince, Announces Alliance And Nuclear Partnership
Summary
On November 18, President Trump hosted the Saudi Crown Prince at the White House. The pair announced deeper security cooperation and expanded arms sales, as well as substantial Saudi investment in the U.S. economy.
Findings
White House Meeting: On November 18, 2025, President Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) at the White House (Al Jazeera). MBS was welcomed with a cavalry parade, marching band, flyover, and red carpet entrance (Al Jazeera).
In the meeting, MBS suggested that Saudi Arabia may soon join the Abraham Accords, a first-term Trump treaty that established diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab nations (Al Jazeera). Riyadh maintains its commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative, which would recognize Israel's sovereignty after the establishment of a Palestinian state (Al Jazeera).
Defense Partners: On November 18, Trump and MBS signed a strategic defense deal (CBS News). Riyadh will also be able to purchase the F-35.
Additionally, it is reported that Saudi Arabia will purchase “hundreds of tanks and fighter jets” as well as partner with the U.S. on artificial intelligence and civilian nuclear development (CBS News).
The deal will add Saudi Arabia to the “123 Agreement for Peaceful Cooperation” on nuclear development (U.S. Department of Energy).
MBS pledged to invest $1 trillion into the U.S. economy (CBS News).
Why This Matters
There is some controversy regarding Trump’s hosting of MBS. First are two glaring issues: the 2018 assassination of American-Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and Saudi Arabia’s role in financing the 9/11 perpetrators. Additionally, Trump’s decision to progress a “civil” nuclear project with the Saudi’s is a sharp turn from nonproliferation.
However, given shared American-Saudi interests against Iran, Trump has been granted some praise for his new cooperation and partnership with Saudi Arabia. The deal manifests itself as the crowning example of a shift in America’s policy in the Middle East; we are transitioning to a foreign policy driven by diplomacy and mutual economic investment rather than counterterrorism and troop surges. In other words, a foreign policy by which the U.S. and Israel wage war against regional irregular threats while big Washington finds conventional allies to wage competition, war, or both, against regional powers.
U.S., Russian Peace Deal For Ukraine Leaks
Summary
On November 19, it was reported that peace terms crafted by American and Russian officials were presented to Kyiv. Ukraine reportedly rejected the terms, calling them “maximalist” aims of the Kremlin. It marks a visit to Ukraine by senior Pentagon officials and Keith Kellogg’s pending resignation.
Findings
Axios Report: On November 19, Axios reported that a “secret” peace framework of “28 points” was drafted by American and Russian officials (Axios, Financial Times). The report claims U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff presented the proposal to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy (Axios, Financial Times). The proposal was rejected in Kyiv due to the terms reflecting Russia’s “maximalist demands” (Financial Times).
Terms: While the framework proposal includes 28 items, Financial Times only reported the following demands as known details:
Ukraine cedes the Donbas region (Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts) to Russia
Ukraine reduces its standing army size by half
Ukraine discards or returns identified weapons systems, which include some long-range strike platforms
Ukraine recognize Russian as the official state language
Ukraine recognize the Russian Orthodox Church
European Plan: Axios’s report suggests a European-Ukrainian plan was rejected by Russia, and that Washington is attempting to bring Europe “on board” with the current proposal (Axios). The report also claims the current terms are to help establish a lasting peace in Europe, not just Ukraine (Axios).
The lack of coordination with Europe and Ukraine suggests a widening diplomatic gap in the Western alliance.Senior Leaders Visit Kyiv: On November 18, POLITICO reported that U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff General Randy George visited Ukraine this week (POLITICO). The pair is the highest-ranked Pentagon officials to visit Ukraine during the war (POLITICO). POLITICO reports their presence as a way to coordinate aid to Ukraine amid increased Russian air and drone attacks, but their presence also suggests an attempt to smooth relations following the abrupt and harsh U.S.-Russia peace proposal (POLITICO).
Kellogg’s Resignation: On November 19, it was reported that U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, will resign in January 2026 (Reuters). Kellogg’s appointment, a temporary post, was not confirmed by the Senate and is approaching its 360-day expiration (Reuters).
However, the timing suggests Kellogg chose this moment to resign (shielded by precedent) to avoid a scandal of disagreements within the administration.
Kellogg is considered an advocate for the EU and Ukrainian interests in the White House (Reuters).
Why This Matters
The leaked peace terms, crafted by Russia and the United States, suggest there is a widening break between Washington, Kyiv, and Europe. It also shows a lack of consistency in the Trump admin’s Ukraine policy.
If the U.S. continues pushing proposals Ukraine views as outright surrender, Kyiv may start negotiating its own deal without American input, risking a continuation of conflict, a heavier burden for Europe, and American withdrawal. Russia gains leverage simply by being heard, while Ukraine’s desperation grows under the pressure of Winter and diminished resources, not to mention a massive corruption crisis in the Zelenskyy administration.
The Kellogg resignation and sudden Pentagon visit suggest internal disagreement inside the Trump administration over how far to push concessions to Moscow. If U.S. unity continues to fracture, it could weaken support for Ukraine, shift power toward Russia, and force Europe to further chart an independent security path.
Republican Legislators Introduce Bills To Expand CBP Operations Abroad
Summary
On November 19, Republican legislators introduced two bills that would expand the authorities of CBP and Border Patrol to conduct operations outside of America’s borders.
Findings
Two bills submitted to Congress on November 19 would develop CBP strategies for engaging transnational criminal groups and expand the authorities of CBP to operate beyond America’s Southern Border.
H.R.4070 - Tren de Aragua Border Security Threat Assessment Act
Introduced by Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC-13), this bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to submit a threat assessment and strategic plan regarding the Tren de Aragua cartel and other transnational crime organizations.H.R.4071 - Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025
Introduced by Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS-3), this bill would expand the authorized activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel in foreign countries as well as provide tort claims against the United States. It would also allow personnel of the Air and Marine Operations of CBP to provide support to foreign governments, including surveillance of trafficking activities, tracking terrorists, humanitarian efforts, and law enforcement capacity-building efforts.
Why This Matters
As conventional military operations escalate between us and Venezuela, the potential change in CBP operational authorities suggests the Trump administration may soon expand operations into Mexico and Central America (for example).
End Brief
That concludes this brief.
Thank you for reading!
— Nick
This publication is an Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) product and does not contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Classified Information.