Overview
- The 2025 National Security Strategy elevates the Western Hemisphere by explicitly invoking the Monroe Doctrine, prioritizing border control, countering drug trafficking, and proposing a ‘Golden Dome for America’ air and missile defense.
- The strategy retains focus on deterring conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific by preserving U.S. military overmatch, emphasizing long‑range strike, submarines, and resilient logistics over Europe‑oriented heavy land systems.
- A Congressional Research Service analysis outlines potential force realignments away from Europe and the Middle East toward the Hemisphere and Indo‑Pacific, along with new basing and infrastructure investments and possible changes to rotational deployments.
- Reporting describes immediate application around Venezuela, including a naval blockade of oil tankers, the seizure of the sanctioned tanker Skipper, more than 20 strikes on alleged trafficking boats in the Caribbean, and a CIA covert action program.
- The National Defense Strategy has not been released publicly, and commentary highlights contentious ‘burden shifting’ expectations for Europe, with critics arguing the approach downplays traditional alliances and European security concerns.