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.

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.

The US military is reviewing options to secure access to the Panama Canal following President Donald Trump’s calls to “take back” the waterway. Trump claims Panama has broken past agreements and accuses China of exerting influence over the canal,