Trump news at a glance: President reportedly orders military to target drug cartels; plans to meet Putin on Ukraine

Directive reportedly gives Pentagon a basis to operate against cartels on foreign soil; Trump to meet Russian president in Alaska next week - key US politics stories from 8 August 2025

Donald Trump has reportedly given a secret directive to the Pentagon to use the military to target Latin-American drug cartels that his administration has designated terrorist organisations.

The order provides an official basis for the possibility of direct military operations at sea and on foreign soil against cartels", according to the New York Times, which first reported the directive, citing people familiar with the matter. A US official later confirmed the signing of the directive but said military action did not appear imminent and it was unclear exactly what type of operations they would carry out.