New Pentagon Approach Prioritizes U.S. Homeland and Western Hemisphere Defense

The Pentagon’s primary national security agenda will align closely with President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy. According to several U.S. officials speaking to Military Times, the focus will be on safeguarding the homeland and the broader Western Hemisphere.

Addressing the challenge posed by China will continue to be a critical aspect of the forthcoming National Defense Strategy, officials have indicated.

The Pentagon’s document outlines the military’s objectives to enhance its lethality, deter hostile actions, confront adversaries, and protect the nation’s borders. An official noted that these goals reflect the reasons behind Trump’s election to office.

On his inaugural day in office, Trump enacted an executive order directing the U.S. Northern Command to secure the borders and uphold the nation’s sovereignty and security by countering illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities.

According to an official, border security is a top priority, a stance that resonates not just with the base but also with moderates, thereby fulfilling a key promise.

Historically, the defense of the American homeland has been a paramount national security priority across both Republican and Democratic administrations.

The Pentagon has historically employed a strategy that includes projecting military power forward to address threats directly, forging alliances to combat common foes, sustaining a robust nuclear deterrent, and developing missile defense systems to protect key population areas.

Following the September 11 attacks, the U.S. refocused its military efforts towards combating terrorism while China continued to expand its military capabilities.

During Trump’s first term, the Pentagon shifted its emphasis back to great-power competition, primarily focusing on China and Russia, a priority that remained under the Biden administration. However, an official noted that the upcoming National Defense Strategy (NDS) will not completely move away from focusing on China but will use its emphasis on the Western Hemisphere to counter Chinese activities in Latin America.

Bradley Bowman, from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, highlighted that China, Russia, and Iran have been significantly active in Latin America, and Washington’s response has been largely ineffective.

Bowman cautioned against using a predominantly military approach in a region that requires comprehensive interagency and public-private partnerships, particularly in addressing economic challenges. He warned that an overly militaristic strategy could lead to the U.S. losing competitive ground to China in Latin America and could also lead to wasteful expenditure of resources.

He also expressed concern that increasing military commitments in Latin America without corresponding resources could strain the U.S. military’s capacity and potentially degrade its readiness.

Another U.S. official noted the ongoing focus on drug cartels, some of which have ties to China, stating that China’s influence, particularly around the Panama Canal, has significantly increased. This route is crucial for trade for both Washington and Beijing.

Michael Shifter from Georgetown University remarked on the strategic importance of the Panama Canal to Trump’s administration, noting ongoing negotiations to transfer control of two ports from Chinese to U.S. hands and Panama’s withdrawal from China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Shifter expressed concerns about U.S. military actions in Latin America potentially replicating past mistakes, particularly referencing the controversial U.S. war on drugs in the 1980s and its anti-communism campaigns.

He also voiced skepticism about the likelihood of U.S. ground troop deployments in Latin America, recalling the 1989 Panama invasion and the potential risks of similar actions today.

Trump recently announced a third military strike this month against a drug-smuggling vessel, which has stirred controversy and raised questions regarding the legality of such actions, as per Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro.

Shifter questioned the categorization of these drug traffickers as terrorists, arguing that unlike groups like al-Qaida, these individuals are not attacking the U.S. directly, thus challenging the legal basis for such military actions.