2026 National Defense Strategy Reveals Shift in U.S. Military Priorities
The 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) reflects a significant shift in U.S. military priorities and narratives. The document, analyzed for its language and themes, shows a decrease in the emphasis on traditional geopolitical adversaries such as China and Russia, with mentions dropping significantly compared to previous years. The strategy also introduces new terminology, such as 'Department of War' and 'narco-terrorist,' indicating a rebranding and focus on specific threat dynamics. Notably, the strategy emphasizes 'Peace Through Strength' and 'Burden-Sharing,' suggesting a collaborative defense effort with allies. The document also marks a shift towards the Western Hemisphere, with references to the 'Monroe Doctrine.' However, it omits previously significant topics like climate change and diversity, and lacks concrete directives on force size and military planning. 
