U.S. Military to Prioritize Homeland and Curbing China, Limit Support for Allies

U.S. Army soldiers patrol the desert in search of undocumented migrants in Presidio, Texas on November 4, 2025. (Photo by Herika Martinez / AFP)

The U.S. military will prioritize protecting the homeland and deterring China while providing “more limited” support to allies in Europe and elsewhere, a Pentagon strategy document released on Friday said.

The 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) marks a significant departure from past Pentagon policy, both in its emphasis on allies taking on greater burdens with less backing from Washington and in its softer tone toward traditional foes China and Russia.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Agence France-Presse

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
Uncertainty Roils Minerals Markets
3 Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard
4 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans
5 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
6
Indonesia Goes Nuclear, Taps China and Russia for Modular Reactors

You Might Like

China’s Influence a Key Theme of Senate Armed Services Committee Testimony on Latin America and the Caribbean

Threats from China are emerging as a common theme across different U.S. Commands at the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearings. The issue of China’s influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) 

The Washington Post’s China-Djibouti Story Caught the Attention of U.S. Right-Wing Commentators

Coverage of China-Africa issues is scarce in major U.S. newspapers like The Washington Post, so it was notable last week when WAPO’s Nairobi Bureau Chief Max Bearak published a report on how ...

Howard W. French: “America’s Downsized Relationship With Africa Is About to Go Totally Adrift”

Just a few days before Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi embarks on his latest visit to Africa, author and journalist Howard W. French complained that the United States appears to be going in ...

This Chart Explains Why the U.S. Seems Increasingly Disengaged From Africa

This chart that measures African trade clearly explains why there’s so little interest in the United States about fostering closer ties with Africa. The U.S. trading relationship peaked in 2011 and since ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP