US 2026 defense strategy prioritizes homeland, China deterrence

The United States Department of Defense released its 2026 National Defense Strategy, outlining a strategic pivot that prioritizes homeland security, aims to deter Chinese military power, and demands substantially more from American allies in sharing defense burdens.

Core Priorities and Strategic Shift

The document, signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, critiques past US military engagements for diluting readiness. It refocuses the armed forces on a "core, irreplaceable role" of winning wars that directly affect American interests. The strategy is built on four main pillars: defending the homeland, deterring China through strength, increasing allied burden-sharing, and rebuilding the domestic defense-industrial base.

Homeland Defense and the China Challenge

Homeland security is designated the military's foremost priority, with explicit mentions of border security, countering narcotics cartels, and protecting critical terrain in the Western Hemisphere. Regarding China, the strategy endorses military dialogue to reduce risks but vows a "clear-eyed" view of Beijing's buildup. It states the goal is to prevent any nation, including China, from dominating the US or its allies to secure a "balance of power" in the Indo-Pacific.

Allied Burden-Sharing and Industrial Revitalization

A central theme is a demand for greater allied contributions. The strategy points to a new NATO-endorsed benchmark of spending 5% of GDP on defense, arguing that European allies must take primary responsibility for their conventional defense. It also frames Russia as a "persistent but manageable threat." Concurrently, the document calls for a historic revitalization of the US defense industry to ensure it can produce weapons at scale during crises and support allies.