In spite of the Russian war in Ukraine, the forthcoming U.S. National Defense Strategy places China in the position of “most consequential strategic competitor,” with Russia relegated to second position, deemed as an “acute threat”; and Iran, North Korea, and “violent extremist organizations” regarded as “persistent threats,” according to an Atlantic Council study of the document. Russia is deemed a threat even after Putin will be gone from power, and would remain as something to be “managed” as it can’t be “solved,” according to the strategy. And the biggest threat the NDS considers is a possible Russia-China “alliance,” with China allegedly building up its nuclear forces. Reliance on the nuclear triad combined with the system of “alliances” is pointed out as the means of dealing with this envisioned threat.
In addition, a two-page Pentagon Fact Sheet from March 28 explains, “For the first time, the Department conducted its strategic reviews in a fully integrated way – incorporating
the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) and Missile Defense Review (MDR) in the NDS – ensuring tight linkages between our strategy and our resources.” (https://media.defense.gov/2022/Mar/28/2002964702/-1/-1/1/NDS-FACT-SHEET.PDF?source=GovDelivery)
