Pentagon tasked with providing ‘military options’ to ensure US access to Panama Canal, memo says

The Trump administration has formally asked Pentagon officials for “credible military options” to ensure unfettered American access to the Panama Canal, one of several new directives outlined in what amounts to a major overhaul of US strategic priorities, according to a new memo that was sent to senior leaders and reviewed by CNN.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that the US needs to reclaim the canal, most notably during his recent speech before Congress, but his administration has now formally requested potential military options for doing so, the memo from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reveals.

Among the directives defense officials were instructed to execute “immediately” is: “Provide credible military options to ensure fair and unfettered US military and commercial access to the Panama Canal,” according to copy of the document reviewed by CNN.

Read Full Article Here