WASHINGTON: As time runs down on the Trump administration, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top aides are rushing to complete actions they believe will cement the legacy of the president and themselves, according to U.S. officials.
In the coming days, Pompeo is poised to announce new measures against Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels and likely re-designate Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism,” according to three officials. Both moves will impose or re-impose sanctions on the targets and may complicate the incoming Biden administrations diplomacy and could be announced as early as later Sunday or Monday, the officials said.
The officials were not authorized to discuss the steps publicly because they have not yet been announced and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The expected announcements will follow a surprise step that Pompeo took on Saturday when he declared restrictions on U.S. diplomatic contacts with Taiwanese officials to be null and void, angering China which regards the…