Pentagon Shifts Defense Priority: Homeland and Western Hemisphere Now Top Concern

The United States Pentagon has released its latest National Defense Strategy, marking a significant shift in priorities. The security of the US homeland and the Western Hemisphere has been designated as its primary concern. This change repositions the department's focus, moving away from previous strategies that identified China as the top defense priority. The 34-page document outlines a strategic approach characterized by "hardnosed realism" and a commitment to more focused engagement.

Core Strategic Shifts

Published every four years, the strategy asserts that Washington has historically overlooked the "concrete interests" of Americans. It pledges "more limited" support to US allies compared to past approaches, while reinforcing policy positions established by the current administration.

The strategy states that Washington has historically overlooked the "concrete interests" of Americans.

These policy positions include actions such as the reported seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, strikes against alleged drug boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean, and applying pressure on allies regarding Greenland. The document also reiterates the Pentagon's guarantee of US military and commercial access to key areas, including the Panama Canal, the Gulf of America, and Greenland.

Previous Strategic Focuses:

• The 2022 strategy named China's "multi-domain threat" as its top defense priority.
• The 2018 document described "revisionist powers" like China and Russia as the "central challenge" to US security.

Approach to China

Regarding China, the strategy advocates for engagement through "strength, not confrontation," explicitly stating that the goal is not to dominate, strangle, or humiliate the nation. While Taiwan is not explicitly mentioned within the document, it articulates a broader objective.

The US aims to "prevent anyone, including China, from being able to dominate us or our allies."

This strategic position follows a substantial US arms sale to Taiwan and subsequent Chinese military drills, underscoring the delicate balance in the relationship.

Allied Responsibilities and Global Threats

The strategy calls for greater "burden-sharing" from US allies, suggesting that partners have often relied on US defense subsidies. This approach is presented not as isolationism, but as a focused and strategic effort. It implies that allies, particularly in Europe, should take the lead against threats that are more severe for their respective regions.

Specific Geopolitical Actors:

• Russia: Described as a "persistent but manageable threat to NATO's eastern members."
• North Korea: The US role in deterrence is outlined as "more limited," with South Korea expected to assume primary responsibility for this task.

International Context

The release of the strategy coincides with broader international discussions about a changing global order. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney remarked at the World Economic Forum that the "old world order is not coming back," urging middle powers such as South Korea, Canada, and Australia to collaborate. French President Emmanuel Macron also cautioned against a "shift towards a world without rules."