Pentagon Cuba Planning Expands As Army Reserve Surveys Troops For Possible Deployment

The U.S. Army Reserve is polling its subordinate commands on whether they could supply six categories of units to U.S. Southern Command within roughly three to four months, according to an internal message obtained by CBS News, as the Pentagon continues weighing possible action against Cuba. The message itself does not name Cuba, but several U.S. officials told CBS the request is tied to ongoing planning focused on the island's communist government, according to Daily Caller.

Analysts offered differing readings. William LeoGrande of American University said the compressed timeline suggested something more urgent than routine contingency work and warned an invasion would be risky given Cuba's disciplined, loyal armed forces. Sebastian A. Arcos of Florida International University suggested the personnel being sought points instead to a possible humanitarian intervention exercise. Daniel Pedreira, also of FIU, said the buildup could support a longer operation combining military, peacekeeping and humanitarian elements, tying it to President Trump's repeated calls for regime change in Cuba, including at the United Nations General Assembly. Evan Ellis of the U.S. Army War College cautioned that military preparation for contingencies does not mean the president will act on them. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a January 3 news conference that Havana's government should be "concerned at least a little bit."

The units under review include a combat sustainment support battalion, an engineer battalion, an expeditionary sustainment command, a medical brigade, a forward surgical unit and a military police brigade. SOUTHCOM said it continuously assesses potential requirements across the region.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Daily Caller’s reporting. Read the full story at Daily Caller →