Calls Grow For Tougher US Response To Russia And Chinese Activity In Cuba

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): Getting our adversaries (China, Russia) out of Cuba should be our immediate goal. Since 1959, the U.S. and Cuban relationship has been defined by gray zone operations that have occasionally broken out into open confrontation. That era is ending.

The Trump administration has administered a blockade of Cuba, arrested the leader of Cuba’s closest supporter, Maduro in Venezuela, and put Cuba’s other two supporters, Russia and China, on notice that the U.S. is expecting them to back off the relationship. On January 29, Trump signed an executive order that says:

Cuba hosts Russia’s largest overseas signals intelligence facility, which tries to steal sensitive national security information of the United States. Cuba continues to build deep intelligence and defense cooperation with the PRC. Cuba welcomes transnational terrorist groups, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, creating a safe environment for these malign groups so that these transnational terrorist groups can build economic, cultural, and security ties throughout the region and attempt to destabilize the Western Hemisphere, including the United States.

This is why the U.S. must insist that Havana offer the U.S. guarantees that it will reverse its security relationship with our enemies like Russia and China. By demanding that Cuba strip itself of Russian and Chinese intelligence presence on the island, we help secure our own supply chains and the important national security infrastructure — with multiple combatant commands and military bases — that resides close to Cuba in Florida. READ MORE in the Cypher Brief.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of the top defense news of the last couple of days from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

White House released wide-ranging counterterrorism strategy targeting narco-terrorist cartels, Islamist terrorists and violent left-wing extremists as ‘significant and pervasive’ threats to U.S.

Pentagon needs playbook for munitions surge production. Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles fired during Operation Epic Fury take months to put on contract and years to produce. Whether driven by U.S. military operations or support to partners, challenge of quickly replenishing U.S. munitions is not new.

Iran campaign demonstrates need for more B-21s. Operations Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury make this crystal clear: Bombers that can precisely deliver large payloads halfway around the world are crucial assets.

HOMELAND DEFENSE

Corporate cybersecurity is new frontline of national security by protecting critical U.S. infrastructure. For decades, national security was defined by geography: borders, terrain, and physical infrastructure shaped how nations defended themselves and projected power. The private sector, while important, was largely adjacent to this domain.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Kelly profile rising. A federal appeals court panel appears likely to reject Pentagon plans to punish Sen. Mark Kelly for urging troops to disobey unspecified “illegal” orders, another potential victory for the rising, likely 2028 presidential candidate.

Two Democrat congressmen introduce legislation aimed at lowering drug prices for millions of service members, veterans and military families.

Pentagon’s top acquisition official has assumed oversight of Navy’s next-generation stealth fighter, indicating leaders have set aside earlier skepticism of the program.

‘Maverick Act’ saves last three F-14 Tomcats from destruction. Four decades after Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell first felt the need for speed in cockpit of an F-14 Tomcat, new legislation may allow the iconic swept-wing fighter to fly again.

US POWER OVERSEAS

President Trump’s aggressive foreign policies, including the capture of Venezuelan narco-dictator Nicolas Maduro and war on Iran, have allegedly crashed America’s global perception score to lower than that of Russia, according to one European think tank. This also says a lot about the idiotic people surveyed.

IRAN THREAT

U.S. and Iran are reportedly close to agreeing on one-page memorandum of understanding aimed at ending current conflict and creating framework for broader nuclear negotiations.

U.S. and Iran exchange fire as Trump says war will ‘be over quickly.’ The U.S. military launched ‘defensive’ strikes at Iranian military facilities after Iran launched missiles, drones and small boats at three U.S. Navy vessels transiting Strait of Hormuz toward Gulf of Oman.

Decision by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to restore U.S. access to bases and airspace paves way for U.S. to resume operation to guide ships through Strait of Hormuz. Restrictions were imposed after U.S. announced Project Freedom operation to reopen the waterway.

CHINA THREAT

China orders firms to ignore U.S. Iran sanctions, daring U.S. to enforce crackdown. Expert calls move ‘a measure of defiance by Beijing’ as Trump administration intensifies pressure on Tehran’s oil revenue.

China Raises Alarm After Iran Attacks Tanker, says its nationals were among crew of oil tanker attacked this week by U.S. military near Strait of Hormuz.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

Dueling ceasefire proposals by Ukraine and Russia around Victory Day seem to have all but collapsed amid escalating air strikes and rhetoric of “massive missile strike” on central Kyiv.

EUROPEAN DEFENSE

European defense and security autonomy is within reach and would require investing around $59 billion a year for next decade, according to German defense investors, experts and industry executives.

A new Turkish intercontinental ballistic missile has range of 3,750 miles, putting much of Europe and Middle East within reach. The Yildirimhan missile, named after an Ottoman sultan, marks progress toward joining the global military elite.

SPACE THREATS

Human moon landings could be in peril from space junk. A massive, stray piece of a SpaceX rocket is on course to smash into the moon, highlighting risk of space junk to lunar surface as NASA pushes hard to return humans to the Moon.

AI company Anthropic will study use of orbital data centers being developed by SpaceX.

Rocket Lab joins Raytheon on space interceptor program for Golden Dome. Company also announced new contract to fly hypersonic test flights for Anduril.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Health officials across the globe are racing to track passengers of the luxury cruise ship hit by the deadly hantavirus and their immediate contacts.

Horn of Africa tensions flare as Sudan’s army is deploying more troops and anti-aircraft equipment near Ethiopian border as it accuses Addis Ababa of backing its rebel opponents in three-year civil war.

US MILITARY

Military tightening its entry standards by shifting more than two dozen medical disqualifications to earliest stages of recruitment process.

Army needs to build better command posts and Tactical Operations Centers (TOCs). It would be odd to see a “TOC Mahal” in Russo-Ukrainian War.

Pentagon looking for AI-enhanced target recognition to help troops, vehicles and ships destroy drones.

Students at Pentagon-run schools for military children should start practicing their push-ups, pull-ups, planks, shuttle-run or one-mile run in preparation for Presidential Fitness Test, which will soon be required at DoD schools.

END of PDB

FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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