Joint Chiefs chair to host 34 Western Hemisphere military leaders in Washington

Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is convening a meeting on Feb. 11 in Washington of military chiefs from 34 countries to discuss improving regional efforts to fight drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations. Invited nations include countries such as Denmark, Britain and France that have territories in the hemisphere.

General Caine’s office said participating defense leaders will “explore the importance of strong partnerships, continued cooperation, and united efforts to counter criminal and terrorist organizations, as well as external actors undermining regional security and stability.” The gathering is being described as rare and as a sign of the region’s rising prominence in the Trump administration.

The meeting comes amid strained ties with neighbors and allies after recent events the article cited, including a U.S. commando raid this month that seized President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela and a contentious debate between President Trump and European allies over Greenland. The White House has discussed increasing NATO presence in the Arctic, asserting sovereign claims to parts of Greenland and blocking foreign mining, and Mr.

Trump has said the United States needs Greenland for national security. Officials and analysts cited operational tensions: the United States is intensifying pressure on Mexico to allow American military forces or C.I.A. officers to conduct joint operations to dismantle fentanyl labs, according to U.S.

Key Topics

Politics, Dan Caine, Joint Chiefs, Western Hemisphere, Venezuela, Mexico