Russia And China Biggest Challenges Under Pentagon’s New National Defense Strategy

The Biden administration on Thursday rolled out public versions of a series of long-awaited policy reviews — the National Defense Strategy, the Nuclear Posture Review and the Missile Defense Review — outlining a sweeping strategy for U.S. security, seeking more deterrence for a list of threats topped by Russia and China, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.
The classified version of the administration’s National Defense Strategy was transmitted to Congress this spring outlining priorities, including working with allies and confronting China and Russia.
Producing the documents together on Thursday, the Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin told repprters, "we're seamlessly integrating our deterrence efforts to make a basic truth crystal clear to any potential foe... The truth is that the cost of aggression against the United States or our allies and partners far outweigh any conceivable games."
The 2022 National Defense Strategy, or NDS, places a primary focus on the need to sustain and strengthen U.S. deterrence against China. It also advances a focus on collaboration with a growing network of U.S. allies and partners on shared objectives.
The NDS also takes into account the challenges posed by Russia — especially considering its invasion of Ukraine — along with threats posed by North Korea, Iran and violent extremist organizations.
Both Moscow and Beijing “could use a wide array of tools in an attempt to hinder U.S. military preparation and response in a conflict, including actions aimed at undermining the will of the U.S. public, and to target our critical infrastructure and other systems,” according to the strategy.
The biggest concern appears to be growing nuclear arsenals owned by Russia and China, with the U.S. government betting that its own nuclear capabilities “remain the ultimate backstop for our strategic deterrence.”
Austin said, the Pentagon is “fully committed to modernizing all three legs of our nuclear triad,” referring to the ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, bomber aircraft and submarine-launched weapons that all carry nuclear payloads.
The NDS also includes a focus on challenges to security, such as pandemics and climate change. To build an enduring advantage for the U.S, Austin said, the Pentagon is working to further strengthen the foundations of the defense enterprise.
Alex Raufoglu
Washington D.C.
Latest news
Latest newsUS Sanctions Target Russias Main Pillar as Moscow Faces New Pressure on Oil Revenues
19.Sep.2026
Russia Begins State Duma Elections Amid War in Ukraine
18.Sep.2026
Bulgaria Strengthens Protection of Strategic Infrastructure Against Drones and Other Threats
18.Sep.2026
Georgia and Enka: How the Namakhvani Dispute Could Affect the Investment Climate
17.Sep.2026
Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova: After Russia’s Invasion, Latvia Began Banning Russian-Language Media
17.Sep.2026
Rainer Saks: Russia сould lose its influence in Armenia, just as it did in the Baltics
16.Sep.2026
Russian Drones Violated Moldovan Airspace Twice During Zelenskys Trips
16.Sep.2026
Operation Vivaldi: Ukraine Reports Advances Near Lyman as Fighting Intensifies
16.Sep.2026
Kazakhstan and South Korea Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
16.Sep.2026
Armenia Energy Diversification: Testing the Limits of Dependence on Russian Gas
15.Sep.2026
Tbilisi Distances Itself from Brussels as Kobakhidze Intensifies Criticism of European Policy
14.Sep.2026
Russia Fuel Crisis Gives the US a New Diplomatic Leverage Tool
14.Sep.2026
Trump Calls on Zelenskyy to Stop Strikes on Russian Oil Infrastructure
13.Sep.2026
Ukraine Expands Pressure on Russia’s Shadow Fleet: Moscow’s Oil Logistics Under Threat
13.Sep.2026
The Riga Conference: Europe Prepares for Long-Term Confrontation with Russia and Reshapes Its Security Architecture
12.Sep.2026

20 Sep 2026


