U.S. Defense at an Inflection Point: The 2026 National Defense Strategy

The National Defense Strategy (NDS) serves as the Pentagon’s foundational document for force planning, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making. Released every four years, the NDS establishes defense priorities that shape military capabilities, investments, and posture for years to come.

The 2026 National Defense Strategy arrives at a critical juncture and marks an unprecedented shift in U.S. defense policy. For the first time in decades, the strategy places renewed emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, signaling a significant reorientation of strategic focus and raising fundamental questions about how the United States will balance regional security challenges with global commitments.

As the Department of Defense translates strategy into implementation, critical questions emerge: How will this strategic pivot affect force structure and readiness? What resources will be required, and how will they be prioritized in a constrained fiscal environment? What does this mean for U.S. alliances and partnerships in other regions?

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) held a live event on Wednesday, January 28 at 2:00 p.m. ET with an expert panel that examined the strategy’s key priorities, assessed how it addresses emerging threats and great power competition, and discussed the challenges of implementation. The conversation explored what this unprecedented strategic shift signals about the future of U.S. defense policy and America’s role in the world.