Preparing For US Military Action Against Cuba’s Regime

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): Hegseth rallies troops for ‘any possible contingency’ in Cuba. This, as the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and its ships are stationed in the Caribbean Sea. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban American, has repeatedly condemned the island’s leadership while acknowledging last month that “likelihood” of a negotiated agreement is “not high.”

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will travel to U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as Trump administration continues to demand drastic reforms by communist government in Havana.

Recent U.S. sanctions targeting Cuba’s leadership and indictment of former dictator Raúl Castro are a “pretext” for Trump administration to persuade American people to support military intervention, says Cuba’s top diplomat to U.S..

The Next Caribbean Crisis? Assessing U.S. Military Options Toward Cuba. Along with rhetorical measures, U.S. has stepped up military surveillance overflights of Cuba, gathering intelligence on the capabilities and dispositions of the country’s Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR).

In late May, CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban leaders, bringing along a paramilitary officer who was involved in capturing Maduro and killing the Cuban military personnel who were guarding the Venezuelan leader. It was a sign of what could come if negotiations are unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, U.S. has enough military assets to operate simultaneously in Western Hemisphere. In addition to USS Nimitz carrier strike group, the 1,300 Marines of 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will shortly replace the 22nd MEU, which has been in Caribbean since January.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s the latest defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

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

HOMELAND SECURITY

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to release binding directive that tasks federal government with rethinking how it manages risks to its networks and prioritizing cyber vulnerabilities.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Lawmakers across the aisle disagree about how much funding increase is necessary for military during next fiscal year, leading to one senator foreseeing another government shutdown.

IRAN WAR

Yada, yada, yada… VP JD Vance claims U.S. ‘very close’ to peace deal with Iran, says deal could ‘absolutely’ come before midterms.

U.S. launches new strikes on Iran after Apache helicopter downed in Strait of Hormuz, deepening doubts about prospects for peace.

CENTCOM footage shows U.S. forces striking Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island June 5.

Two soldiers were brought to safety by drone boat after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down near coast of Oman, in what may mark the first unmanned vessel rescue.

This is the Saronic Corsair drone boat that plucked downed Apache crew out of Gulf of Oman overnight.

ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH WAR

Israel struck Hezbollah targets in historic port city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, and minutes later ordered evacuation of entire city for the first time.

How can Lebanon’s partners help strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces? Lebanese state’s lack of effective sovereignty is crucial problem in efforts to negotiate with Israel and disarm Hezbollah. In 2025, in historic move, Lebanese government made plans for Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm Hezbollah. However, the military made slow progress, partly due to fears that more aggressive moves might splinter Lebanese forces.

CHINA THREAT

U.S. hits China- and Hong Kong-based entities with sanctions over Iran weapons.

China’s Xi Projects Strength. His Constant Purges Reveal Insecurity. And he is reversing Deng-era reforms and pushing China toward full-blown totalitarianism.

China refocuses on North Korea ties as its silence on N Korea’s nuclear weapons reshapes balance.

Taiwan Test-Fires U.S.-Supplied Missile Launcher Toward China. Island stages first use of Himars on Taiwan Strait as part of invasion-defense drills.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed he asked Roman Abramovich to pass on offer of direct talks to Vladimir Putin. A Russian oligarch loyal to Kremlin may be surprise choice of messenger for Kyiv, but the former U.K. Chelsea team owner has history of acting as go-between since start of Russia’s invasion.

EUROPEAN DEFENSE

Home alone: Europeans ready to defend themselves.

Only 1 in 10 Europeans in 15 countries now see U.S. as an ally, survey suggests.

After FCAS demise, Germany’s options include ordering more U.S. F-35 warplanes. German defense leaders will go back to drawing board in their quest for next-generation fighter following end of once-ambitious Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System.

Airbus-led alliance lobbies Germany on a sixth-generation fighter project, signaling an industry push to shape Europe’s future combat jet program amid uncertainty about its direction.

Ukraine ready to share drone technology with Nordic and Baltic countries, Zelenskyy says in Estonia at regional summit. This, amid friction over Ukrainian drones straying into the region in recent months.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Confirmed Ebola cases in DR Congo reach 600 after U.S. warning spread could match record outbreak.

As New Delhi faces stealth fighter gap, Vladimir Putin has offered India joint production of Russia’s most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Su-57, and Putin said Moscow was willing to cooperate without “limitations.”

Netanyahu has lost middle America. Israel needs new government whose leaders are capable of facing reality. Whatever the long-term military consequences of war in Gaza, its effect on U.S. public support for Israel has been catastrophic and won’t be reversed quickly.

For years, Qatar has positioned itself in Washington as a trusted U.S. partner. At same time, Doha has earned reputation for exerting influence by illicit means. Less recognized is Qatari regime’s employment of an artificial media platform that poses as an independent news organization while promoting Doha’s agenda.

US MILITARY

Pentagon reveals preferred munitions for one-way attack drones for Drone Dominance program, a $1.1 billion effort to expand domestic drone production and reduce cost of commercial drones for military use.

Marine Corps wants 360-degree camera systems for use on LAV-25 and other armored vehicles.

New Marine specialty combines welding, machining and 3D printing, a move designed to boost both their versatility and their chances for promotion.

END of PDB

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