The United States views Russia and China as a priority for its defense strategy, unveiled by the Pentagon on Friday.
“The competition between superpowers, not terrorism, is now at the forefront of national security,” US Defense Secretary James Mattis told a news conference announcing the new strategy.
“We are facing increasing threats from various misguided countries such as China and Russia, which seek to build a world compatible with their authoritarian models, and seek to veto the economic, diplomatic and security decisions of other countries,” he said.
“Long-term strategic competition with China and Russia is a key priority for the Department of Defense and requires more funding because of the degree of risk it poses today to the security and prosperity of the United States,” he said.
According to the US defense strategy, “Russia seeks to deter NATO, change the political and economic structure in Europe and the Middle East in its favor.” The document also accused Russia of “undermining the international order from within, exploiting its benefits and violating its principles at the same time.”
The Pentagon expressed concern about “Russia’s use of technologies to thwart democratic processes in Georgia, Crimea and eastern Ukraine,” pointing out that this represents a “clear challenge”, given the modernization of the Russian nuclear arsenal at the same time.
“Rogue regimes, such as North Korea and Iran, persistently pursue their illegal actions and threaten not only regional stability, but global stability,” Mattis said.
The United States will continue to fight terrorism, Matisse said. “Despite the defeat of the caliphate,” he said, extremist extremist groups such as Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda continue to show hatred, destroy peace and kill innocents around the world.
According to the new strategy, the United States will develop consistent alliances to preserve what has been achieved in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, to defeat terrorists for a long time, and cut off their channels of support.
The US Joint Chiefs of Staff will act to deter the enemy in three key areas, the Indian and Pacific Ocean region, Europe and the Middle East.
The US Department of Defense will modernize its “nuclear trio” (strategic aviation, intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarines carrying nuclear weapons) and develop infrastructure. Funding programs will focus on missile defense and deterrence capabilities.
There will also be investments in space, cyberspace, artificial intelligence and other vital systems needed by the US armed forces.
The United States plans to “build a more lethal force” and strengthen traditional alliances as well as partnering with other nations.
In a related context, Mattis addressed the issue of funding, noting that “there was no enemy did more damage to the combat readiness of the United States from the ceiling of military expenditures.”
The Pentagon published a short version of the 11-page “National Defense Strategy”. This is the first such document since 2014 that sets the priorities of the Pentagon, which will reflect on the military expenditures that the Pentagon will require.
The new strategy reflects the determination of the administration of new US President Donald Trump to confront Russia and China.