Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar 3/18/26: Trump Says He Will Take Cuba, Ro Khanna VS ADL, Aipac Loses Key Elections, Dem Party Attack On Platner
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Mar 18, 2026 Discussion of Trump's public vow to 'take' Cuba and debate over whether it signals negotiation, projection of force, or policy escalation. Reporting plans and the humanitarian impact of U.S. restrictions on Cuba, plus how Chinese aid could reshape alignments. A heated clash between Ro Khanna and pro-Israel groups over speech policing. AIPAC's costly losses in Illinois races and political fallout from attack ads on Graham Plattner.
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Trump's 'Take Cuba' Statement As Power Play
- Donald Trump publicly mused about "taking Cuba," framing it as negotiation leverage and uncertainty to exert pressure.
- Ryan Grimm and Emily Jashinsky explain this maps to a pattern of force-first brinkmanship after Iran and Venezuela moves, not a coherent long-term plan.
Blockade Driving Humanitarian Collapse In Cuba
- U.S. blockade and restrictions have precipitated a near-collapse of Cuba's power grid and critical services.
- Ryan Grimm reports hospitals and nursing homes faced collapse as Cuba shifted to solar and rationing amid blocked oil shipments.
U.S. Rules, Not Just Cuba, Prevent Diaspora Investment
- U.S. sanctions and restitution rules block diaspora investment in Cuba by threatening seizure under property-claim laws.
- Grimm notes Miami Cubans could be sued and have investments seized, meaning U.S. policy, not Cuba, often prevents investment.