| | | | |  | | By Eric Bazail-Eimil and Miles J. Herszenhorn | |  Progressives want President Joe Biden to go further, arguing the current policy isn’t pushing Cuba closer to being a democracy that respects human rights. | Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP | With help from Nahal Toosi and Daniel Lippman Subscribe here | Email Matt | Email Eric Months after the U.S. extended a series of olive branches to Cuba, Washington and Havana are saying the other needs to do more before additional progress can be made on repairing diplomatic ties. In May, the Biden administration allowed Cuban officials to visit Miami International Airport and tour the airport’s security facilities and removed Cuba from a list of countries that are “not fully cooperating” with U.S. antiterrorism efforts. The Treasury also implemented a 2022 rule granting Cuban entrepreneurs access to American banking services and financial platforms. The moves were some of the most significant overtures to Havana since the Obama administration — but the White House says it’s not ready to go further. A senior administration official, granted anonymity to speak freely about U.S. policy, emphasized that a wide gap still exists between Washington and Havana on the Cuban government’s human rights record that needs to be addressed before more happens. “We haven't seen a willingness by the Cuban government to make a grander gesture that would result in a significant thaw in relations,” the official said. Havana says that the ball is in Washington’s court. Cuban diplomats in Washington argue the Biden administration is capriciously relaxing restrictions that only impact a limited section of Cuban society. They have also voiced frustration that Washington is ignoring bigger sticking points in the bilateral relationship, namely Cuba’s designation as a “state sponsor of terrorism.” “Cuba has relayed to the United States government via public and private channels that we are ready to sit down and discuss issues of bilateral importance that are priorities for both peoples,” LIANYS TORRES RIVERA, chargé d’affaires at Cuba’s embassy in Washington, said in an audio statement. “And what we ask for is respect and non-interference in our domestic affairs.” The impasse might squander one of the best windows to mend fences with Havana, as Democrats no longer seem worried that improving relations with Havana will carry a political cost for them in Florida and institutional headwinds have eased after Sen. BOB MENENDEZ (D-N.J.) stepped down from his perch as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair. Cuba also faces an unprecedented economic crisis that has driven hundreds of thousands to flee the island in recent years, exacerbating the White House’s migration woes. Any expansion in cooperation with Cuba is considered a political minefield and fully mending fences with Havana would stir sharp outrage from Republicans, especially South Florida’s Cuban American lawmakers who argue relaxing sanctions against Havana will allow it to continue its “destabilizing” activities in the region. Sen. MARCO RUBIO (R-Fla.), the son of Cuban immigrants and one of the Biden administration’s sharpest critics on policy towards the island, told NatSec Daily the administration was “trying to lay the groundwork so that in the second term, they can align us closer to that regime, which is desperate for any sign of a lifeline.” Still, progressives want President JOE BIDEN to go further, arguing the current policy isn’t pushing Cuba closer to being a democracy that respects human rights. “The status quo is not working,” Rep. JIM McGOVERN (D-Mass.) told our own NAHAL TOOSI. “We're locked into this old Cold War type of approach that didn't work during the Cold War and we're still stuck with it because nobody wants to just rip the band aid off and say, you know, let's try something different here.”
| | | | During unprecedented times, POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy. Live briefings, policy trackers, and and people intelligence secures your seat at the table. Learn more. | | | | | | | | THE GUNS OF AUGUST: The State Department approved over $20 billion worth of weapons and defense equipment for Israel on Monday, uncorking a logjam of foreign sales cases that has caused frustration in Israel and on Capitol Hill. The five packages, announced all together on Monday afternoon, include 50 F-15IA and F-15I fighter planes for $18.8 billion; 30 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for $102.5 million; 32,739 120mm tank rounds for $774 million; 50,000 120mm mortar rounds for $61.1 million; and Medium Tactical Vehicles for $583 million. The packages have been working through the process for months, with some frustration mounting in some corners of Capitol Hill over the time it has taken to get the approvals to move through the administration. The F-15 sale was flagged to the relevant congressional committees in February, POLITICO previously reported, noting that none of the missiles, munitions or aircraft will arrive in Israel in the immediate future, as they are not coming from U.S. stockpiles but will be contracted for and built by American defense firms. IRAN’S ULTIMATUM: Tehran is vowing that the only thing that can stop its planned retribution against Israel would be if Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire deal at talks this week, per Reuters’ PARISA HAFEZI and LAILA BASSAM. Iran also objected to a joint statement from the leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, which had called on Tehran to refrain from retaliation that could jeopardize a cease-fire agreement. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson NASSER KANAANI said in a statement that “such demands are void of political logic, in complete contradiction to the principles and rules of international law, and excessive.” Talks in Doha scheduled for Thursday are in limbo. Hamas told mediators over the weekend that it would skip the negotiations following a wave of Israeli strikes against targets in Gaza, and the militant group told Reuters that reports from CNN that it changed its mind are inaccurate. Meanwhile, Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN has postponed a planned trip to the Middle East and will not travel tonight in light of the uncertainty around the attacks’ timing, per Axios’ BARAK RAVID. The U.S. has dispatched AMOS HOCHSTEIN and BRETT McGURK to the region, along with CIA Director BILL BURNS, to assist with easing the deadlock, per The Wall Street Journal’s ANAT PELED, SUMMER SAID and ALEX WARD. Read: US eyes Iranian oil exports as threat of Israel attack grows By our own GABRIEL GAVIN (for Pros!) RUSSIA REGROUPS: A Ukrainian military official said some Russian troops were pulled out of southern Ukraine to provide reinforcements against Kyiv’s offensive in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions, our own VERONIKA MELKOZEROVA and ALI WALKER report. Moscow’s redeployment of troops comes as it has also increased its airstrikes against Ukrainian forces on Russian territory, per Reuters’ GUY FAULCONBRIDGE and LIDIA KELLY. IT’S TUESDAY. Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily! This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at mberg@politico.com and ebazail@politico.com, and follow us on X at @mattberg33 and @ebazaileimil. While you’re at it, follow the rest of POLITICO’s national security team: @nahaltoosi, @PhelimKine, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130, @ErinBanco, @reporterjoe, @JGedeon1 and @mherszenhorn.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Lockheed Martin is Leading in Next-Gen Radar Technology
The U.S. Army’s new Sentinel A4 radar—a revolutionary leap from the legacy Sentinel A3—will counter cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems, rotary wing and fixed wing threats, offering flexible mission performance and growth potential. Learn more. | | | | | FIRST IN NATSEC DAILY — IN DEFENSE OF WALZ: As Gov. TIM WALZ continues to take heat from Republicans over allegations that he falsely suggested that he observed a ceremony for a fallen soldier while serving in Afghanistan, the Harris campaign is now telling our DANIEL LIPPMAN that Walz was referring to a ceremony he attended during a visit to the Bagram Air Base in 2008 while serving in Congress. The controversy stemmed from a discrepancy in Walz’s prepared remarks for an address on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and his actual delivery of the speech. While the prepared remarks seem to suggest that he witnessed the ceremony while serving in the Army National Guard, Walz does not actually link his service to the fallen soldier ceremony he describes in the speech. The Harris campaign pointed to several documents detailing the itinerary of Walz’s nine-day visit to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Germany as part of a congressional delegation. Walz did, in fact, participate in a “Fallen Comrade” ceremony while in Bagram, according to the itinerary. NATSEC MUSICAL CHAIRS: The prospect of KAMALA HARRIS winning the presidency in November has some progressive national security experts jockeying for roles in the Harris-Walz administration, Nahal and our own PHELIM KINE and JOSEPH GEDEON report. Some progressive groups are planning to draft lists of people that Harris’ administration should hire at the National Security Council, State Department and Defense Department. Other progressives who are currently working in think tanks are looking to prepare their job application materials and cozy up to Harris allies ahead of the election.
| | | ENCRYPTION LEAP: The National Institute of Standards and Technology rolled out new encryption tools that will help U.S. computer networks withstand attacks from quantum computers. As our colleagues at Morning Cybersecurity (for Pros!) previewed this morning, the new standards will help keep online activity, including emails and online transactions, safe and encrypted — even in a future where quantum computing is realized. The standards, which have been under development for eight years, were unveiled at a White House event today. The rollout comes as quantum computing remains a worry for U.S. cyber officials, who warn that the advanced computers could break existing encryption standards and expose the U.S. to greater national security risks in the process. The standard, per NIST Director LAURIE LOCASCIO, will ensure quantum computing technology “will not simultaneously disrupt our security” as it helps solve major problems.
| | | |   | | | | | POLAND’S APACHE ACQUISITION: Warsaw is buying a large gamut of American-made Apache helicopters, as it tries to improve its attack capabilities. As Defense News’ JAROSLAW ADAMOWSKI reports, the purchase of 96 Apache helicopters will make Poland the second-largest user of the craft, only behind the United States. The deal, worth nearly $10 billion, will allow Poland to phase out its Soviet-designed fleet of helicopters and will help provide air support for Poland’s land forces. It’s the latest splashy weapons acquisition for Warsaw, which as our colleagues at Morning Defense (for Pros!) report has been inking a few big deals with U.S. defense manufacturers. Warsaw signed a $1.23 billion order with RTX on Monday to produce launchers for its Patriot air defense system. The announcement follows Friday’s $850 million agreement, also with RTX, for several hundred medium-range air-to-air missiles.
| | SFRC IN DISARRAY: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is paralyzed by disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over the future of a bill sanctioning the International Criminal Court, per Punchbowl News’ ANDREW DESIDERIO. Republicans are upset that the committee has not moved further on a House-passed bill sanctioning the international tribunal for its decision to indict Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU and Israeli Defense Minister YOAV GALLANT on war crimes charges. Consequently, Republicans have prevented the committee from holding business meetings needed to advance diplomatic nominations and legislation before the panel. Democrats are increasingly frustrated with the months-long holdup, arguing that the impasse risks weakening America’s diplomatic prowess at a time when China is rapidly beefing up its presence around the world. Committee chair Sen. BEN CARDIN (D-Md.) told Punchbowl News that “there comes a point in time you’ve got to vote, you’ve got to bring [the nominations] up. And if you’re trying to hold them for leverage, I don’t want any part of that.” AIPAC’S SPECTER: Super PACs tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other pro-Israel advocacy groups spent a combined $25 million to defeat two high-profile critics of Israel in this year’s elections — and progressives are worried the groups could go further in the 2026 midterms. As our own ALLY MUTNICK and SARAH FERRIS report, progressives in Congress are worried they won’t be able to withstand primary challenges backed by the Israel lobby next year after pro-Israel groups spared no expense in their quest to oust Reps. JAMAAL BOWMAN (D-N.Y.) and CORI BUSH (D-Mo.) over their criticism of Israel’s war effort in the Gaza Strip. They worry that it could also silence criticism of Israel within Congress. “I think they smell success,” Sen. BERNIE SANDERS (I-Vt.) said of AIPAC in an interview with POLITICO. “The point is not just them going after Jamaal and Cori, which is terrible. It is the intimidating presence they have over every member of Congress ... It bothers me that there hasn’t been more outrage.” PATRICK DORTON, a spokesperson for United Democracy Project, AIPAC’s super PAC, rejected the premise that they were targeting progressives specifically, saying “We have been proud to support progressive champions who are pro-Israel like” GEORGE LATIMER and WESLEY BELL. “These are candidates that will support the progressive agenda in Congress,” he added.
| | | | DON’T MISS OUR AI & TECH SUMMIT: Join POLITICO’s AI & Tech Summit for exclusive interviews and conversations with senior tech leaders, lawmakers, officials and stakeholders about where the rising energy around global competition — and the sense of potential around AI and restoring American tech knowhow — is driving tech policy and investment. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | | WORSENING CRISIS IN SUDAN: The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is continuing to worsen, as heavy rains exacerbate acute food shortages in the war-torn African country. Sixty-eight people were killed in Sudan this year after a more intense rainy season in the arid country caused flooding and the collapse of buildings and shelters, per Reuters’ KHALID ABDELAZIZ and NAFISA ELTAHIR. And international aid groups are saying that they are running short on funds to meet increased needs, with the International Organization for Migration warning that tens of thousands could die if other countries do not increase their support for relief efforts, Reuters’ RACHEL MORE reports. The U.S. is expressing hope that peace talks could soon lead to an end to the ongoing civil war, which has become a proxy conflict between various Middle Eastern and North African countries as the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces vie for power. U.S. Special Envoy TOM PERRIELLO told an Arabic-language broadcaster owned by the U.S. government on Monday that upcoming talks in Geneva “will be a test to see if there is a genuine commitment to peace from both Sudan and the international community,” building on earlier talks in Jeddah. But years of conflict have left the country’s capital Khartoum in shambles, and there are few indicators that the rival generals will cede any kind of ground at talks, let alone show up.
| | — LAURA THORNTON is joining the McCain Institute as senior director of global democracy programs. She previously was senior vice president of democracy at the German Marshall Fund. — CHRIS ESTEP is now serving as national security communications advisor in the office of the Vice President under a detail from the Department of Defense. He was previously the special assistant to assistant secretary of Defense ELY RATNER. — ILAN GOLDENBERG joined the Harris campaign as a liaison to the Jewish community. Goldenberg previously worked as a negotiator for U.S-brokered peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. — NATALIE BIDNER is joining the United States Council for International Business as director of international agriculture policy. She previously was a program manager at the World Food Prize Foundation.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Lockheed Martin is delivering advanced radar capabilities primed for the future
We've established a legacy of producing high-performing solid-state radars, giving forces the range and precision they need to defend against advanced threats. Learn more. | | | | | — ANASTASIA EDEL, The New York Times: Putin has victory in his grasp — WALTER PINCUS, The Cipher Brief: No idle threat: Cyber attacks and the U.S. water supply — ROBBIE GRAMER, Foreign Policy: Inside Putin’s Kremlin
| | — The Intelligence and National Security Alliance, 9 a.m.: Top priorities at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. — The Henry L. Stimson Center, 9:30 a.m.: Afghanistan’s evolving terrorism landscape under the Taliban. — Center for Strategic and International Studies, 11 a.m.: Recent developments in North Korea. — The National Press Club, 4:30 p.m.: Concert for AUSTIN TICE on the 12th anniversary of his abduction in Syria. Thanks to our editor, Rosie Perper, who won’t make grander gestures to mend fences with us. Thanks to our producer, Gregory Svirnovskiy, who is working to resolve our diplomatic impasse with Rosie. CORRECTION: Monday’s newsletter misstated Doug Klain's role with the Atlantic Council. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |
