Pentagon Shifts Focus from China to Domestic and Regional Defense

The U.S. Pentagon has unveiled a significant shift in its strategic priorities, no longer placing China as its foremost concern. Under a new strategy document, the military’s focus will shift towards bolstering defenses on the homeland and within the Western Hemisphere, signaling a major recalibration of American defense posture.

Why It Matters

This strategic pivot comes amid heightened global tensions and ongoing concerns about military readiness. By reducing emphasis on countering China directly, the U.S. is effectively signaling that it perceives Beijing as a stable force in the Indo-Pacific. This change may cause anxiety among U.S. allies, particularly in Asia and Europe, who could interpret it as a waning commitment to collective defense.

Key Developments

• The 2026 National Defense Strategy outlines a reduced emphasis on China as a top adversary, viewing it instead as a force that requires deterrence.
• The document calls for "critical but more limited support" for European allies while emphasizing the need for those nations to take a leading role in regional defense.
• President Trump’s administration seeks to guarantee military and commercial access to critical territories in the Western Hemisphere, particularly Greenland and the Panama Canal.
• South Korea is highlighted for increasing its defense spending by 7.5%, demonstrating its readiness to take on more responsibility for deterring North Korea.
• Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression is framed as primarily a "European responsibility," with the U.S. prepared to offer limited support.

Full Report

Strategic Shift

The Pentagon’s 2026 National Defense Strategy reflects a transformation in military focus, moving away from treating China as the principal threat. Instead, it designates China as a regional power to be deterred. This marks a departure from the previous administration’s approach and emphasizes a broader range of strategic environments, particularly the U.S. home front.

Military Support and Responsibilities

The new strategy document underscores the necessity of alliances while calling for European nations to assume greater responsibilities in their own defense. The Pentagon has outlined its commitment to providing "critical but limited" backing for allies engaged in defending against aggressions such as those from Russia and, to some extent, threats posed by China.

North Korea and South Korea

The paper highlights the ongoing risks of a North Korean invasion and outlines South Korea’s vital role in regional stability. The country is increasingly viewed as capable of leading its defense efforts against the North, bolstered by its rising military expenditures.

European Affairs

In terms of European security, the Pentagon has characterized Russia as a manageable threat, with NATO allies perceived as considerably more powerful than Moscow. The document suggests that Europe must play a more active role in its own security, particularly regarding ongoing conflicts like the war in Ukraine. The U.S. will continue to engage in European defense but will place a sharper focus on its own homeland security.

Perspective on China

China remains a central focus of U.S. military strategy—not as an adversary to be dominated but as a power to be counterbalanced, with the aim of maintaining a favorable military equilibrium in the Indo-Pacific. This nuanced approach seeks a "decent peace" with China, balancing American interests with those of Beijing.

Context & Previous Events

This shift in defense strategy draws from President Trump’s earlier National Security Strategy, which advocated for a reassertion of U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and emphasized military strength in the Indo-Pacific. Under the previous administration, China was considered the top priority threat, but the new document suggests a substantial change in how U.S. military priorities are structured.