The Pentagon has unveiled a sweeping new National Defense Strategy that marks a sharp departure from recent U.S. military planning, placing primary emphasis on defending the American homeland and the Western Hemisphere rather than treating China as the top global threat.
Released late Friday, the strategy reflects a significant reversal from both the Biden administration’s 2022 plan and the Trump administration’s 2018 strategy, which identified China as the United States’ foremost strategic competitor. The new document argues that past administrations neglected “practical American interests,” weakening U.S. influence over critical regions such as the Panama Canal, Greenland and the broader Western Hemisphere.
Instead of what it calls “grandiose strategies,” the Pentagon says it will focus on outcomes directly tied to the security and economic well-being of the American public.
While China remains a concern, the document stops short of labeling it the primary threat. It emphasizes continued diplomacy with Beijing alongside a “strong denial defense” posture in the Pacific aimed at deterring conflict, though it provides few specifics about military assets or deployments.
Europe receives comparatively limited attention in the strategy. While the Pentagon notes that the U.S. will remain engaged on the continent, it argues Europe’s share of global economic power is shrinking and signals a reduced strategic emphasis compared to prior defense plans.
The strategy also warns against allowing foreign powers to gain influence over “key terrain” in the Western Hemisphere, including the Gulf of Mexico, but offers limited detail on how the Pentagon intends to enforce that goal.
Threats posed by Russia, Iran and North Korea are acknowledged but are not central to the document.
The strategy’s release follows months of internal debate within the administration, according to earlier reporting, as officials disagreed over how strongly to characterize China amid ongoing trade and diplomatic discussions.
The new approach represents one of the most consequential shifts in U.S. defense policy in years, redefining priorities at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
