Possible US military preparations regarding Cuba, Trump's spending decisions, and a storm hitting the East Coast

The US Army Reserve Command is studying the possibility of preparing military units to operate within a short period that may range between 90 and 120 days, as part of preparations to support a possible military movement in Cuba, according to American media reports.

According to the New York Post, the Army Reserve Command surveyed the opinions of its leaders regarding the possibility of providing military police units, medics, and other support units, at a date that may begin in late December, to participate in supporting a possible military move targeting the island.

These inquiries come in an internal US Army letter, seen by CBS News, that asked commanders to provide responses by Friday regarding the readiness of those forces, which may be “required within 90 to 120 days.”

Although the letter did not explicitly mention Cuba, CBS News quoted several American officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, as saying that the island represents the focus of military planning related to these inquiries.

The letter does not specify the number of forces that might be required, nor does it indicate where they might be sent, or the nature of the operations they might support. Also, there are currently no indications that any of these units will be deployed abroad.

Among the units whose readiness the Army Reserve Command has reportedly inquired about is a support battalion that specializes in coordinating a number of logistics tasks, including transportation, maintenance, fuel and supply needs.

The letter also included an inquiry about the readiness of an engineering battalion and a medical brigade, among whose components is an advanced surgical detachment designated to provide medical care in cases of severe injuries, according to what CBS News reported.

A spokesman for US Southern Command, which oversees military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, declined to comment on the details of the preparations.

The spokesman said: “Due to operational security considerations, we do not disclose details or comment on US operational movements, potential deployment timelines associated with current or future operations, emergency situations, or planning processes.”

He added: “However, the US Southern Command is constantly coordinating with the joint force to evaluate a set of potential requirements within its scope of responsibility, in support of the tasks assigned to it.”

These developments come in light of a noticeable escalation in Washington’s policy towards the Western Hemisphere since the beginning of the second term of US President Donald Trump. The United States has strengthened its presence and movements in the region within the framework of what officials describe as the “Donroe Doctrine.”

Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly meetings this week, the Trump administration imposed strict sanctions on Cuban entities and officials, including military research and development institutions linked to the country's nickel sector.

On Tuesday, Trump told delegations of the United Nations General Assembly that his administration seeks to bring about “radical change” on the island, expecting the current Havana government to “fall” and for “freedom to prevail in Cuba.” This statement sparked a protest from the Cuban delegation, which withdrew from the hall.

On the other hand, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel pledged to confront any American attack, and accused Washington of “aggression” and “economic war,” against the backdrop of what he described as obstructing oil imports to Cuba.

Yesterday (Friday), US President Donald Trump sought to withhold more than $800 million in spending on immigration, racial minorities, and education approved by Congress, with a unilateral decision.

This move represents the latest round in the dispute between the Trump administration and Congress over control of government spending in the United States.

The White House said in a statement announcing these measures: “President Trump is committed to using all possible tools to reduce wasteful and harmful government spending that does not benefit American citizens,” Reuters reported.

The statement explained that the cuts include several programs; Among them are some programs concerned with refugee assistance, business development for ethnic minorities, and environmental conservation abroad.

The US Constitution gives Congress the power to control public spending, but the White House said that these programs support illegal immigration, fuel racial tension, and adopt an exaggerated cautionary approach to environmental issues.

In this step, the White House resorted to a rarely used mechanism known as “defunding,” which allows Congress to be bypassed.

Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized the decision, calling it “illegal.” Collins, a member of Trump's Republican Party who is running in a tight election race to win a new term in Maine, said: "This is the latest attempt by the Office of Management and Budget to undermine Congress's constitutional authority to control spending." She added: “Any attempt to cancel funds approved by Congress without its approval constitutes a clear violation of the law.”

Last year, the Supreme Court refused to prevent Trump from using the same mechanism to withhold $4.9 billion in foreign aid approved by Congress, while the case was being considered.

Thousands were without power on the East Coast of the United States yesterday evening (Friday), while water flooded roads in some coastal areas of New Jersey in the first major signs of the powerful storm “Noor Easter,” which is expected to create dangerous conditions over the weekend, according to the German News Agency.

There are tens of millions of people in the path of the storm, which has already begun to hit the region with strong winds and rain. Dangerous flooding is expected along the mid-Atlantic coast, especially near New Jersey and Delaware, according to the National Weather Service.

In the coastal area of ​​Manasquan, New Jersey, some roads were submerged with water as darkness fell. Voluntary evacuation orders were issued earlier in some low-lying areas in the region. Mayor Mike Mangan said he expects "there will be a lot of water in the streets for a long time."

Concerts were canceled, along with dozens of flights to Boston, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard airports on Friday and Saturday. Several airlines have offered to waive some change or cancellation fees for some East Coast flights over the weekend.

Brian Kelly, mayor of Sea Bright Beach, a small community in New Jersey, said the area was bracing for winds of up to 50 mph (80 kph) and flooding that could reach 6 feet (1.8 meters) high on some streets. Officials expect the flooding to begin today (Saturday) and worsen by midday.