Operation Southern Spear is a United States military initiative in the Caribbean that is officially described as a drug-interdiction force.
November 24, 2025
high
temporal
Describes the stated mission of a named U.S. military initiative operating in the Caribbean.
The U.S. government employs counterdrug military operations, including strikes against vessels suspected of transporting narcotics, as a tactic intended to prevent illegal drugs from reaching U.S. cities.
November 17, 2025
high
temporal
Describes a policy/practice characterizing U.S. use of military force in counterdrug efforts.
A 2025 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate of the economic effects of a federal funding lapse was based on assumptions that furloughed federal employees would be paid retroactively when the shutdown ends, that spending on goods and services forgone during the shutdown would be made up after funding resumes, that active-duty military and certain law enforcement personnel would continue to be paid during the shutdown, and that missed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be paid retroactively.
October 29, 2025
high
assumption
These were the key modeling assumptions underlying the CBO's estimate of shutdown impacts.
A 2025 CBS News poll found that about half of self-identified Democrats said their party's positions were worth a government shutdown, fewer self-identified Republicans said the same about the GOP, and both major parties had net-negative (underwater) favorability ratings with Republicans slightly more favorable than Democrats.
October 05, 2025
high
statistical
Public-opinion polling on partisan support for a government shutdown and party favorability.
The Posse Comitatus Act, enacted in 1878, limits the U.S. military's role in enforcing domestic civil laws.
June 18, 1878
high
legal
Federal statutory restriction on use of federal military forces in domestic law enforcement.
The phrase 'regular forces' in Title 10, Section 12406 of the U.S. Code can be interpreted to mean the regular forces of the United States military, and that interpretive determination affects how the statute operates in permitting the federalization of National Guard units.
high
legal
Interpretive issue regarding which military forces serve as the baseline for the statute's 'unable with the regular forces' condition.
In United States military personnel terminology, 'separation' means leaving active duty but does not necessarily mean leaving the military entirely.
high
definition
Used to distinguish administrative separation from full retirement or complete departure from military service.
U.S. military retirement-related benefits commonly include health insurance coverage and pension benefits that together can represent substantial lifetime financial value.
high
general
Retirement entitlements for service members typically encompass ongoing medical coverage and periodic pension payments.
Members of the United States military and the U.S. intelligence community take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
high
institutional
Describes the standard oath sworn by U.S. military and intelligence personnel.
A formally retired officer of the United States military can be recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings.
high
procedural
U.S. military legal process for handling alleged misconduct by retired officers.
Recalling retired United States military officers to active duty for the purpose of court-martial proceedings is an exceedingly rare action.
medium
procedural
Frequency characterization of the practice of recalling retirees for court-martial in U.S. military practice.