Chuck Holton
Politics • Culture • News
Chuck Holton is an American war correspondent, published author, and motivational speaker.
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Israel Update for Monday:

10.03.25

Israel Cuts Electricity Supply to Gaza Amid Hostage Negotiations

Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen has announced an immediate halt to electricity supply to Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. This follows previous actions restricting goods and supplies to the region. If these measures fail, Israel is expected to escalate its response with targeted airstrikes and special forces operations, potentially forcing Palestinians who had returned to northern Gaza to evacuate once again.
(Jerusalem Post, Eli Cohen Official Announcement)

IDF Strikes Terrorists in Northern Gaza

The IDF has carried out an airstrike against a group of terrorists attempting to plant an explosive device near Israeli troops in northern Gaza. This marks another operation in Israel’s ongoing efforts to eliminate militant threats in the region.
(Jerusalem Post)

Hamas Open to Releasing Hostage Amid Ceasefire Talks

Hamas has signaled willingness to release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander as part of ceasefire negotiations. U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler has confirmed progress in talks, but Hamas is demanding a long-term truce, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, humanitarian aid, and the release of detained terrorists as part of any agreement. Discussions have included U.S. and Egyptian officials, with Israel considering its next move.
(Israel Hayom)

Massacre of Alawites in Syria Points to Ethnic Cleansing

Hundreds of Alawites have been massacred in Syria by Islamist regime forces, with reports of executions, home burnings, and attacks on civilians in Baniyas. The Syrian Observatory has confirmed that the victims were Alawite fighters, rather than remnants of Assad’s forces. The violence has led to mass displacement, with some fleeing toward Lebanon. The Syrian Defense Ministry has now entered “phase two” of its operations, raising concerns of further bloodshed.
(Israel Hayom)

Gazan Asylum Seeker in UK Exposed as Alleged Hamas Operative

A Daily Mail exposé has revealed that a Gazan asylum seeker, “Abu Wadei,” is allegedly a Hamas operative. Social media posts show him posing with weapons and making antisemitic statements. Despite being intercepted by the British Coast Guard while entering the country illegally, he was released, sparking renewed scrutiny of Britain’s asylum system amid an ongoing surge in illegal migrant arrivals. Calls for his deportation are growing.
(Israel Hayom)

IDF Chief of Staff Assesses Troop Readiness in Southern Syria

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has visited Israeli troops stationed in southern Syria to evaluate the security situation. He was joined by senior officers, including the head of Northern Command. Simultaneously, Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Sarig, the IDF comptroller, is conducting an independent inspection of the Northern Command’s operational readiness. While Israel has framed its presence in Syria as a temporary security measure, Defense Minister Israel Katz has indicated that troops will remain at nine army posts indefinitely.
(Times of Israel)

Houthis Issue Four-Day Ultimatum to Israel Over Gaza Aid Blockade

Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi has given Israel a four-day ultimatum to lift its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza, threatening renewed naval attacks on Israeli shipping if demands are not met. This follows Israel’s recent decision to halt aid to Gaza, which has intensified the humanitarian crisis. The Houthis have previously targeted ships in the Red Sea as a show of solidarity with Palestinians, and their latest threat raises concerns of escalating regional conflict.
(Middle East Monitor)

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari to Retire Amid Political Tensions

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari has announced his retirement after two years in the position. His departure follows a decision by newly appointed IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir not to promote him. Hagari, a former tank commander who was wounded in the 2006 Lebanon War, has faced political pressure and internal reprimands for exceeding his authority in recent months. His retirement is being viewed as a de facto dismissal, and a replacement has yet to be announced.
(Mannie’s War Room)

IDF Intensifies Operations in Wadi Burqin, Near Jenin

Israeli tanks have been spotted firing machine guns in the Wadi Burqin area, west of Jenin, as part of intensified military operations in the West Bank. The offensive comes in response to increased militant activity in the region. The situation remains volatile, with reports of casualties and significant property damage. Israel’s ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the West Bank has led to mass displacement, particularly in Jenin and surrounding areas.
(Abu ALI Telegram – Video Footage)

New Syrian Military Orders: No Filming of Executions

Reports from Syrian military sources indicate that soldiers have been explicitly warned not to film the execution of captured Alawites. This move appears to be an attempt by the Assad regime and its allies to prevent further international condemnation amid accusations of ethnic cleansing in Syria.
(Abu ALI Telegram)

Two Palestinians Injured in Explosive Device Incident

A homemade explosive device detonated in an unspecified location, injuring two Palestinians. One of the injured is reportedly in critical condition.
(Abu ALI Telegram)

More Execution Footage of Alawites Surfaces Online

New video footage has emerged showing Islamist forces executing Alawite prisoners. The brutal nature of the executions has reignited concerns about ethnic violence and religious persecution in the region.
(Behold Israel Telegram)

Attempted Assassination of Former Bat Yam Mayor

An assassination attempt has been reported against the former mayor of Bat Yam. While the details remain unclear, initial reports suggest political motives behind the attack. The case is currently under investigation.
(Jerusalem Post, Hananya Naftali Telegram)

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On the Shores of Issyk- Kul

Today I got a chance to check out the second largest saltwater lake in the world

00:00:49
Is the U.S. Training Syria’s New Jihadist Army?

Very few media outlets are talking about this, but they should be — urgently.

While most of the world is distracted, U.S. troops are conducting live training exercises in Syria with the forces of the country’s new interim government, now led by Ahmed al-Sharaa — a man widely known as a former Al Qaeda affiliate.

Let that sink in.

Recent reports confirm that U.S. personnel at the Al-Tanf garrison have been training members of the so-called 70th Division, a unit formed from remnants of the Syrian Free Army, which now pledges loyalty to this new government. This comes right on the heels of a massacre of Druze civilians, allegedly carried out by those very same government-aligned forces.

Aiding the Next Generation of Jihadists?
This isn’t just a questionable policy — it could be morally catastrophic.

Druze communities, who have long sought neutrality in Syria’s civil war, were brutally attacked.

Christian populations in the region are living in fear, as radical factions become emboldened ...

00:06:03
Debunked

Debunked: Following several accusations that Israel is causing famine in Gaza, COGAT has released drone footage of the hundreds of truckloads of supplies waiting to be delivered to Gaza by the UN. A statement accompanying the footage claims that 'There is enough food here to feed all of Gaza, if the UN ever came to pick it up.

00:00:39
Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce

My erstwhile field producer and cameraman Dennis Azato has accompanied me on ten years of adventures across the globe. Today he joins me in Ukraine and we spend some time remembering our many trips together.

Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce

The calm after the storm… Roanoke Island, Outer Banks, NC….

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Service that pleases God.

"I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me out of all trouble." (Psalms 54:6-7a)

Being motivated (to obey God) by guilt produces spiritual frustration. God desires us to worship Him freely, out of gratitude, because of the grace we've received in Jesus. If we are serving to earn His love, or maintain our salvation, we misunderstand Him and are destined for failure. For such mentalities are unhealthy, they lead to burnt out and bitterness, pride and self-righteousness (I know this firsthand).

This is why it's so important to understand the truth of the Gospel correctly - by the Spirit's revelation (of the Bible) and not man's tradition or interpretation. For bad teaching fosters the sinful works of the flesh, which leads to all defilement. And truly God's life and love have been given to us freely, and eternally, as a gift (Romans 6:23), because of the perfect obedience of Jesus (Romans 5:17-18), and ...

Again to show my support, and appreciation of what you do @ChuckHolton, I gave a shout out on my live the other night. @20:00-21:45 on "10 Global Truth Bombs: What the MEDIA won't tell you" The TRUTH about BBQ, in Haiti. When you met that man, talked, and even PRAYED with him, was a shocking and inspiring moment. I know it took a ton of work to get that interview, and the danger's behind doing so. So THANK YOU!!! RWTM aka Robert H🙏🏻

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Fighting for Truth: A Conversation with Hillel Fuld
One of the most powerful interviews I’ve done in a long while — with my friend Hillel Fuld

I just wrapped up one of the most powerful interviews I’ve done in a long while — with my friend Hillel Fuld. Many of you may already know him: a tech entrepreneur turned advocate for Israel who has become one of the most influential voices online since October 7th. His story, his warnings, and his call to action are worth your time. Let me break it down for you.

 

From Tech to the Front Lines of Information

Hillel was born in New York and moved to Israel 30 years ago. For years, he thrived in the country’s booming tech sector, consulting and working with startups. But tragedy struck when his brother was murdered in a terrorist attack seven years ago, and the Hamas massacre on October 7th sealed his decision to put everything else aside.

He shut down his successful business and dedicated himself full-time to defending Israel in the digital space. As a result, over four billion impressions on social media — most of them engaging with audiences predisposed to be anti-Israel. Why? Because he built credibility over years, and now he’s using that platform to counter lies with facts, to challenge hatred with truth.

Before October 7th, Hillel wrote online that the global situation — U.S. tensions with Iran and China, Russia’s war in Ukraine, bitter division in Israel and America — made it clear something big was coming. He didn’t predict the exact attack, but he knew Israel would be at the center. Sadly, he was right.

Now, he feels that same ominous weight again. He is afraid that a large-scale terrorist attack will happen against Jews in the U.S. or Europe. He hopes he’s wrong — desperately hopes — but as he put it, the trajectory is undeniable. Anti-Semitism is exploding. Attacks on Jews are up over 800% in the U.S. alone. Synagogues are being firebombed, Jews are assaulted in broad daylight, mobs wave terror flags in Western capitals, and governments do little or nothing.

His Holocaust-survivor aunt summed it up in two chilling words: “The same.”

 

Why the Hatred?

Hillel tackled the hardest question: why does Jew-hatred persist across history? His answer had two parts.

First, the theological: Jewish tradition teaches that anti-Semitism is built into the fabric of history.

Second, the historical: every empire that rose to dominance eventually threw out morality. And when morality — the values rooted in the Bible — became inconvenient, those empires lashed out at the messengers: the Jews. From Babylon to Rome, from Nazi Germany to the present day, the pattern repeats.

“The reason they hate us,” Hillel said, “is because we brought morality to the world. They don’t want it shoved down their throats, so they attack us.”

 

The Information War

We talked about the battlefield that matters most today: not just Gaza or Rafah, but the battle for truth.

Israel has arguably the strongest military defense technology in the world — Iron Dome, David’s Sling, the Arrow system — but in the information war, they’re getting crushed. Hamas and its backers pump out propaganda in slick, coordinated campaigns. Meanwhile, Israel’s truth-tellers are often underfunded, outnumbered, and ignored.

“I’ve reached four billion impressions with my ten fingers,” Hillel told me. “Imagine if I had 300 fingers.”

And here’s the kicker: the other side is organized. They’ve got talking points, PDFs, WhatsApp groups, slogans like “All Eyes on Rafah.” Israel? Not so much.

This is why Hillel’s plea is simple: use your voice. Don’t think your small Facebook following doesn’t matter. Truth spreads when people speak it.

Hillel shared how he was banned from Australia — his visa revoked because of so-called “Islamophobic” tweets. What did he say? That reports of massacres in Gaza weren’t true (later confirmed), and that it’s not irrational to fear radical Islam. That was enough to silence him.

The message was clear: in today’s world, truth itself is considered hate speech.

Despite the hardships, Hillel also sees God’s hand at work. He reminded us of Israel’s missile defense systems — once thought “science fiction,” now operating at 99% effectiveness. And the rockets that do get through? More often than not, they land in “empty fields” — something that simply doesn’t exist in a country as small as Israel.

For him, these are not coincidences. They are daily miracles.

 

What Can We Do?

Hillel’s challenge to us is clear:

  • Speak up. Don’t remain silent in the face of lies.

  • Engage online. Share, comment, like — it all matters in fighting the algorithm.

  • Support the information warriors. Boots and rifles aren’t the only battle gear needed; so are digital warriors with the means to amplify truth.

  • Pray and prepare. As he said, this is a moment in history where our grandchildren will ask: “What did you do?”

 

I’ve covered wars for over 20 years. I’ve spent months in Israel since October 7th. And I can tell you this: Hillel Fuld is right. The information battle is just as important as the battlefield. The lies being spread about Israel are not just words — they shape policies, embolden terrorists, and endanger lives.

Friends, we cannot be silent. Share this message. Use your voice. And let’s stand together with Israel in truth.

— Chuck Holton

Watch the full interview HERE

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Weaponizing Narco Gold: Why Venezuela Is Facing U.S. Pressure

Today I want to bring your attention to a brewing crisis that could soon erupt in the Western Hemisphere: Venezuela. And it goes way beyond socialism or oil. We're talking about narco-terrorism, gold cartels, foreign militias, and even the possibility of U.S. boots on the ground.

From Prosperity to Predation

Venezuela, once one of the richest countries in Latin America, has become a failed state under Hugo Chavez and now the illegitimate strongman, Nicolas Maduro. The economy collapsed. Kidnapping became a growth industry. And over 8 million Venezuelans have fled, many of them ending up in the United States under lax border enforcement during the Biden administration.

I have a lot of friends who are Venezuelan, and I admire them. But here's the truth: the culture of dependency and normalized criminality that permeates Venezuela doesn't just disappear when people cross the border. That reality has consequences.

The Cartel de los Soles

The real threat isn’t just failed socialism. It’s that Venezuela has become a full-fledged narco-state. Maduro and his cronies are at the center of a shadowy network known as the Cartel de los Soles — made up of military and government elites trafficking cocaine and laundering gold.

Yes, gold. These guys make more money from illegal gold mining than drugs. I’ve been on the ground in Colombia and seen the devastation firsthand: mercury poisoning rivers, miners risking their lives, and terrorist groups taxing every shovel-full.

Why the U.S. Cares

The Trump administration recently escalated things by placing a $50 million bounty on Maduro’s head. That’s not just about ideology. It’s because Maduro is engaged in asymmetric warfare against the U.S. — using drugs, gold, and foreign allies like Russia, China, and Hezbollah to undermine American society.

4,000 U.S. Marines are now headed to the Caribbean coast of Venezuela. Navy ships and Coast Guard cutters are in motion. And the Pentagon has been green-lit to take kinetic action against the cartels.

Sound familiar? It should. I was there when we parachuted into Panama in 1989 to remove Manuel Noriega. Maduro could be next.

The Guyana Flashpoint

As if that's not enough, Venezuela is now saber-rattling over oil-rich territory in neighboring Guyana. Maduro claims half of Guyana belongs to Venezuela. Why? Because Guyana struck it rich with light, sweet crude — far more valuable than Venezuela’s dirty, hard-to-extract reserves.

There are rumors flying of a U.S. military buildup in Guyana. And while some of that is exaggerated, it’s true that we’re training with Guyanese forces and flying combat patrols. The U.S. isn't just defending Guyana’s sovereignty; we’re protecting our own strategic interests.

Mercenaries, Militia, and Madness

Maduro says he’ll mobilize 4.5 million factory workers and farmers into militias. That’s a joke. He doesn’t even trust his own military. That’s why he surrounds himself with Cuban and Russian mercenaries. But money talks — and with $50 million on the line, don't be surprised if some of his protectors turn into bounty hunters.

I've seen this up close. I once got roped into a secret meeting with Venezuelan defectors planning to overthrow Maduro. I backed away, reported it to the embassy, and sure enough, some of those same guys later launched a failed coup. Two American Green Berets were caught and are still rotting in Venezuelan prison.

A Real Risk to the U.S.

This isn’t just a Latin American problem. With Hezbollah operatives smuggled into the U.S. via Venezuela, suicide drones manufactured there with Iranian help, and widespread corruption, this is a clear and present danger to America.

Could this escalate into war? Possibly. But what’s more likely is covert operations, private military action, and targeted strikes. Still, if Venezuela hits back — say, with suicide drones on U.S. soil — all bets are off.

Final Thought

Venezuela is a failed state led by a criminal cartel that masquerades as a government. And while Americans are busy arguing over pronouns and plastic straws, our enemies are plotting how to destroy us from within.

We better wake up.

 

Comment below your thoughts about this. If you missed the live, you can watch it HERE

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The Alaska Summit: Theater, Sanctions, and What It Means for Ukraine

I’m writing to you today from the mountains of Kazakhstan. It’s been a whirlwind few days out here in Central Asia, and I’ve been watching closely as history played out thousands of miles away in Alaska. I want to break down for you what happened at the first U.S.-Russia presidential summit since the war in Ukraine began — and why the optics may be very different from the reality.

 

Pomp Without Circumstance

Two days ago, President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf in Alaska. This was the first time the two men had been face-to-face in a decade, and the event was choreographed to the hilt. Red carpet, honor guards, F-22 Raptors on the tarmac, and even a flyover by B-2 stealth bombers — all staged to project American strength.

But what did we actually get from it? Not much. It was political theater — smiles, handshakes, and photo ops. The summit ended abruptly with no lunch, no press questions, and only carefully scripted remarks. That alone should tell you the talks didn’t go as well as advertised.

 

Putin’s Win on Sanctions

So why did Putin make the trip? One word: sanctions. The Trump administration had been preparing to roll out secondary sanctions — penalties not only on Russia, but also on countries like India and China that have been helping Moscow skirt existing restrictions. These measures had the potential to choke off Russia’s war machine, because while Putin doesn’t mind sacrificing soldiers, he does mind losing the economic lifeline that fuels his military.

At the end of the day, Putin walked away without making a single concession — but he did secure at least a delay on those secondary sanctions. That’s a huge win for Moscow. No wonder Russians are celebrating this summit as a victory.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is in the best battlefield position it has been since the war started. They’ve got more than 750,000 men under arms, and they’ve learned to innovate at lightning speed — fielding drones, unmanned vehicles, and even remote casualty evacuation systems that save soldiers’ lives.

Russian tactics, on the other hand, remain rooted in old Soviet-style warfare: meat waves of troops, staggering casualties, and little innovation beyond drones. Every square kilometer they seize costs them hundreds of dead soldiers.

And here’s a fact you won’t hear on mainstream news: Ukraine is now producing more ammunition than it consumes. They’re no longer entirely dependent on Western supplies. That’s a game changer.

 

Optics vs. Reality

Here’s what worries me: the optics of this summit play directly into Russia’s cognitive warfare doctrine. Moscow believes wars are won by shaping minds, not just by winning on the battlefield. Optics are the battlefield.

Putin, riding in “the Beast” limousine, smiling alongside Trump, Lavrov wearing a USSR sweatshirt — those images tell the world Russia is on equal footing with the United States. That perception is a victory in itself, even if the reality is that Russia’s economy is crumbling and their military is bleeding men at an unsustainable rate.

 

The Human Cost

I also want to remind you what’s at stake here. Russia has abducted tens of thousands of Ukrainian children, rebranded them as Russian, and in some cases sent them to fight against their own countrymen. They’ve run “filtration” camps in occupied Ukraine, separating families, torturing civilians, and disappearing countless people.

I’ve seen the aftermath of these atrocities firsthand. In places like Bucha and Mariupol, Russia’s brutality is real and ongoing. This is why Ukraine refuses to accept any “peace deal” that leaves its people in Russian hands.

For Russia, the summit was a public relations victory and a temporary reprieve from crippling sanctions. For the U.S., it was a show without substance. And for Ukraine, it was yet another reminder that their fate is often being negotiated without them at the table.

If the United States truly wants to end this war, the most effective way is still maximum economic pressure — cutting off Russia’s oil revenues and enforcing secondary sanctions without hesitation. That’s the lever that will eventually break the Kremlin’s grip.

 

You can watch the full video on this topic HERE

 

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