China is the No. 1 priority in the new National Defense Strategy, according to an unclassified fact sheet released Monday evening by the Defense Department.
The fact sheet lists the Pentagon’s top four defense priorities, but makes clear that China is “our most consequential strategic competitor and the pacing challenge for the department.”
“Defending the homeland, paced to the growing multi-domain threat posed by the [People’s Republic of China],” is the top defense priority. The third priority is also aimed at China, saying that the department will focus on “deterring aggression, while being prepared to prevail in conflict when necessary,” with an emphasis placed on the potential for conflict with Beijing.
Though Russia “poses acute threats,” as evidenced by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, hostilities with Moscow are a secondary priority for the Pentagon, according to the fact sheet. The Pentagon must also remain ready to counter other “persistent threats,” such as those posed by North Korea, Iran and violent extremist groups.
Other priorities on the fact sheet are deterring strategic attacks against the United States and its allies, and “building a resilient joint force.”
The full strategy, which the department sent to Congress on Monday, is classified.
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