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 U.S. military must work to provide options to ensure the United States has full access to the Panama Canal, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday. President Donald Trump has said repeatedly he wants to "take back" the Panama Canal,

Potential plans range from partnering more closely with Panamanian security forces to a less likely option of U.S. troops' seizing the canal by force, U.S. officials told NBC News.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered senior Pentagon leadership to review how and why grooming standards, including beards, have changed since 2015.

Pete Hegseth has ordered a Pentagon-wide review of US military standards including the physical fitness, body composition, and grooming of army personnel.