The Russia-Ukraine conflict that started earlier this year has impacted the security overview of each nation. The US remains in the same bracket and, in its recently released document, addressed the issues they face from the others.
As per the document, China remains the main challenge to the USA’s national security and foreign policies.
The strategy does not hold back in stating that Russia still poses “acute threats” to the United States, despite President Donald Trump’s efforts to improve relations with Moscow.
The Pentagon’s China strategy argues that Beijing is “working to erode American military advantages,” by fortifying man-made islands in the highly disputed South China Sea and challenging the US Navy’s supremacy in the region.
Further, the dangers described are both conventional and nuclear in nature. China is trying to take control of Taiwan, and Russia’s aggressive approach towards its neighbor shows a conventional threat. At the same time, both nations comprise a large stockpile of nuclear weapons, and it’s worth mentioning that China’s atomic arsenal is growing fast.
According to the strategy, Russia is trying to “undermine American power, influence and interests” by militarily intervening in neighboring countries, violating arms control treaties, and using cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
The US Defense Secretary Llyod Austin brought up various other challenges that the US faces from both these nations while unveiling the unclassified version of the US military strategy document.
Austin said in a statement, “China is our only competitor that has the intention to reshape the world order and is increasing power to do so.” He added, “Russia doesn’t and can’t pose a systematic challenge to the US over an extended period but the Russian aggression poses a great and sharp threat.”
Since the invasion of Russian troops into Ukrainian territory, the US has been very vocal and supportive towards its ally Ukraine. It says that Putin’s choice of choosing reckless war against Ukraine poses a direct and worst threat to European security.
The document also focuses on other aspects and is clear about other threats, like North Korea’s increasing nuclear capabilities. It recently warned North Korea about the testing of nuclear weapons and missiles, albeit North Korea still test-fired two SRBMs recently.
The National Defense Strategy also recognizes other developments like Iran’s nuclear program gaining some pace. Iran getting stronger than its neighbors means a new threat that can disbalance the regional harmony of the Arab nations.
Iran has also been speculated to export the Kamikaze drone to Russia, which the Russian army is using to terrorize the civilian sectors of Ukraine. This clearly depicts that the US government remains vigilant against the latest and ongoing trends and threats in the world.
The NDS also keeps an eye out for global terrorism and the challenges they face due to climate change, pandemics, and other unconventional forms of threats.
