Containing China Without Mentioning Taiwan: USA Publishes Updated National Defense Strategy

The Pentagon has unexpectedly released a new National Defense Strategy (NDS), identifying the protection of US territory as its top priority.

The document appeared on the night of January 24, without prior announcements or accompanying video messages, which contrasts with the practice of previous years, according to Breaking Defense.

The strategy emphasizes that US defense takes precedence over other areas, including the Indo-Pacific region.

Despite its focus on domestic defense, the document rejects isolationism. On the contrary, it calls on allies to share more of the burden of collective security and promises investment in the development of the US defense industrial base.

The strategy was released after the December publication of the National Security Strategy (NSS), which also emphasized the strengthening of the US role in its own region. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at the time that Washington would restore military dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

The document directly refers to the Monroe Doctrine, which the Trump administration calls valid and “stronger than ever.” It refers to guarantees of US access to strategic territories – the Panama Canal, the Gulf of Mexico, and Greenland.

Key elements of the strategy include the Golden Dome program, in particular to counter drones, a modernized nuclear arsenal, and measures to combat drug trafficking.

The second priority is to contain China in the Indo-Pacific region. The US plans to maintain strategic stability and avoid confrontation while building up its defenses.

Taiwan is not mentioned in the document. Instead, the emphasis is on cooperation with allies, who are to take on most of the responsibility for regional security.

The third priority is to increase the allies’ contribution to collective defense. The text explicitly states that South Korea is capable of deterring North Korea on its own, and that Europe has sufficient economic potential to counter Russia.

The document emphasizes that NATO should take the lead in supporting Ukraine, while the US will provide only “limited but critical” support.

The fourth priority is to “supercharge” the US defense industrial base. The Pentagon plans to mobilize resources, engage non-traditional suppliers, and restore production capacity to meet today’s challenges.