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

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.

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. Titled “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” the memo represents a marked shift in Pentagon priorities compared to the directive it replaces – the 2022 National Defense Strategy – and aligns with Trump’s publicly stated goals like using military assets at the US border, reinforcing the United States’ presence in the Western Hemisphere and, otherwise, maintaining a nearly singular focus on China. CNN has asked the Pentagon for comment on the memo. NBC first reported that the White House requested military options on the Panama Canal.