Joint Chiefs Chairman Issues Rare Invitation to Foreign Military Heads

In February 2026, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine will host military leaders from 34 countries in Washington D.C. The meeting aims to improve regional coordination in combating drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations in the Western Hemisphere. Invited nations include those with territories in the region, such as Denmark, Britain, and France. The gathering occurs amid strained relations between the U.S. and its neighbors and European allies, following events like the seizure of Venezuela's President Maduro and debates over Greenland. The meeting highlights the Trump administration's focus on the Western Hemisphere and its "Donroe Doctrine," despite concerns about U.S. hegemony and pressure on countries like Mexico regarding drug operations.