In a series of moves signaling a significant reorientation of American power, the United States canceled the planned deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland. General Christopher Laneve, acting Army chief of staff, confirmed during a congressional hearing that the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team “ultimately will not deploy,” following earlier announcements that Washington would withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany.
Simultaneously, the Justice Department is expanding its legal arsenal abroad. The New York Times reported that DOJ officials plan to use terrorism laws to target Mexican officials allegedly linked to cartel activity. And in a dramatic escalation of pressure on Havana, a DOJ official confirmed plans to indict 94-year-old former Cuban President Raúl Castro, with charges expected to focus on the downing of aircraft — a reference to the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes by Cuban military jets.
