The last similar report was presented in 2022. According to NBC News, the updated strategy is fundamentally different from the course set during Joe Biden's administration. In particular, the military department intends to emphasize the security of U.S. borders and the fight against drugs. The document highlights that the U.S. does not intend to follow an isolationist policy but expects more active participation from allies in ensuring security.
The top priority is policy in the Western Hemisphere. The document states that the U.S. does not intend to "cede key territories" in this region and will provide President Donald Trump with "credible options" to ensure military and commercial access to important strategic areas, including Greenland, the American Gulf, and the Panama Canal. It is also noted that the Department of Defense will operate within the framework of the Monroe Doctrine, viewing the Western Hemisphere as a sphere of U.S. influence.
The second priority on the list is China. According to the report, the U.S. does not seek to "squeeze or humiliate" Beijing but intends to deter it "through strength, not confrontation." It is also emphasized that U.S. military power should support Donald Trump's "forward-looking and realistic diplomacy" and contribute to establishing a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
The third priority identified by the Department of Defense is the redistribution of military responsibilities among allies. The document stresses the need for partner countries, such as Canada and Mexico, as well as European states, to allocate more resources for defense.
The fourth priority is the restoration of the U.S. defense industrial base.
Russia is mentioned in the document quite briefly and characterized as a "persistent but manageable threat" to Eastern NATO members. It is also noted that the department will support "the readiness of American forces to defend against Russian threats on U.S. territory."
The report was published against the backdrop of Donald Trump's efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine, which he has repeatedly stated during his election campaign. Observers note that the 2026 strategy version has a more politicized tone compared to previous documents, partly due to criticism of past U.S. administrations.
In the concluding part of the report, it is noted that Washington has "ignored" the principle of prioritizing American interests for too long, while previous administrations spent resources on large-scale projects and promises to uphold an "rules-based" international order.
