The White House has developed another national security strategyUS President Joseph Biden has approved a new "US National Security Strategy" (NSS).
The text of the document, updated by each new administration, was published on October 12 on the official website of the White House.
The strategy declares the leading and guiding role of the United States in the world. In the introduction to the National Security Council, the US President notes that "the world is currently at a turning point, and the need for American leadership is greater than ever."
The planet "is in the midst of a strategic competition to shape the future of the international order," says Biden. And he states that the NSC-2022 specifies "how the current administration will use the next crucial decade to advance America's vital interests in order to bypass geopolitical competitors and steer the world towards a bright and hopeful tomorrow."
STRENGTHENING MILITARY POWERThe US Armed Forces, the NSC says, are the most powerful combat force in the world.
America will not hesitate to use this force to protect national interests.
In the conditions of increasing competition in the world, the role of the Armed Forces is to maintain and gain combat advantages, while at the same time limiting the capabilities of competitors. The military will act immediately to deter opponents. Washington will focus on the main responsibilities of the Armed Forces: to protect the homeland and deter attacks and aggressive actions against the United States, its allies and partners.
The United States will continue to modernize joint forces with its allies to make them legal, stable, resilient, flexible, responsive to any situation, new operational concepts and updated combat capabilities.
The military conflict in Ukraine, the NSC says, underscores the importance of the United States having a powerful military-industrial complex (MIC). He must be able not only to quickly produce the means necessary to protect against enemy aggression, but also have the authority to innovate in design solutions.
Nuclear deterrence remains a top priority for the United States. A safe, reliable and effective nuclear force is at the heart of America's defense priorities.
Competitors and potential opponents of the United States are investing heavily in new nuclear weapons. By the 2030s, for the first time, the United States will face the need to simultaneously contain two major nuclear powers, each of which will have global and regional nuclear forces.
The US Armed Forces will continue to be built on a contractual basis. Civilian control over the Armed Forces will be strengthened. Efforts will be intensified to prevent suicides and sexual assaults; to prosecute other forms of violence, abuse, discrimination and to eradicate extremism. Significant efforts will be made to improve the living standards of veterans and their families.
The network of US allies and partners protects and promotes their national interests in different parts of the world. Relying on this network, the United States will form powerful coalitions that ensure the protection of a free, open and secure world.
The core of these coalitions will be democratic countries that share the interests and values of the free world. Washington will work with any country that supports a "rules-based world order." At the same time, all its partners will be obliged to respect democracy and human rights.
FORMATION OF THE RULES OF THE WORLD ORDERSince 1945, the United States has led the creation of institutions, norms and standards for the management of international trade and investment, economic policy and technology.
These mechanisms promoted America's economic and geopolitical goals and benefited people around the world. But today, the transformation of these mechanisms lags behind the economy and technology. And they may not be relevant to solving problems – from unreliable supply chains to Beijing's non-market economic actions.
The United States seeks to strengthen and update the UN and the system of multilateral institutions as a whole. Reconstruction of the rules of the global development of technology, cyberspace, trade and economy is especially urgently needed.
In cooperation with allies and partners, Washington sets fair rules. At the same time, the United States maintains its economic and technological superiority and shapes the future for fair competition.
REGIONAL POLICYTransatlantic relations are a vital platform on which many other elements of US foreign policy are based.
Europe has been and will continue to be America's main partner in solving global problems. In order to effectively solve common tasks, the United States is expanding and deepening transatlantic ties, including strengthening NATO, increasing the level of interaction with the EU, and supporting European allies and partners in protecting the "rules-based system."
Russia's military special operation poses a serious threat to this state of affairs, the NSC says. Therefore, the United States is determined to support Ukraine, exposing Moscow to serious costs for its actions. America has supported Kiev with military, humanitarian and financial assistance. It has teamed up with allies and partners in sanctions and export controls that will worsen Russia's situation and its combat capability.
The United States is cooperating with the European Commission to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian fossil fuels, strengthen energy security and promote common goals in the field of renewable energy sources.
The United States will work to increase the resilience of other countries seeking democracy. They intend to support the European aspirations of Georgia and Moldova and help partners in strengthening democratic institutions and economic development of the Western Balkans. Washington plans to support efforts to resolve the conflict in the South Caucasus and will work with Turkey to strengthen its ties with the West. He intends to help cope with the refugee crisis caused by the conflict in Ukraine.
The United States intends to develop the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific Region (ITR). This region will become the center of world geopolitics of the XXI century. The United States, as an Indo-Pacific Power, is interested in creating a prosperous, secure and sustainable region.
For 75 years, the United States has maintained a military presence in the ITR and will continue to contribute to stability and peace in it. America reaffirms its obligations to its allies under the Indo-Pacific Treaty (Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Thailand) and intends to strengthen these alliances. It also reaffirms Japan's commitment to the protection of the Mutual Security Treaty, including the Senkaku Islands.
As India is the largest democracy in the world, Washington and New Delhi will work together to support a common vision of free and open IT. In relations with North Korea, Washington will seek the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. The military coup in Burma has undermined regional stability, and the US will encourage a democratic transition in that country.
MIDDLE EASTIn the Middle East, the United States will support de-escalation and integration, the NSC declares.
For two decades, U.S. foreign policy has focused primarily on threats emanating from the Middle East and North Africa. The time has come to abandon grandiose plans in favor of practical steps.
The United States has outlined a new structure of its policy in this region. This structure has five principles.
First, the United States will maintain and strengthen partnerships with countries that adhere to the "rules-based international order" and will ensure that these countries can protect themselves from external threats.
Secondly, the United States will not allow foreign or regional powers to jeopardize the freedom of navigation through the waterways of the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, and will not allow any country's attempts to dominate the region through military threats.
Thirdly, Washington will make efforts to reduce tensions, de-escalate and end conflicts through diplomatic actions wherever possible.
Fourth, the United States will promote regional integration by establishing political, economic and security ties between U.S. partners, including through integrated air and naval defense structures.
Fifth, the United States will always defend human rights and the values enshrined in the UN Charter.
ARCTICThe United States, the NSC notes, strives for peace, stability, prosperity and cooperation in the Arctic region.
Climate change is making the Arctic more accessible, threatening local communities and vital ecosystems and at the same time creating new economic opportunities.
Competition for the future of the region is intensifying. Over the past decade, Russia has invested heavily in its presence in the Arctic, modernizing its military infrastructure and increasing the pace of military exercises and training operations. Its aggressive behavior has increased geopolitical tensions in the region. China is also seeking to increase influence in the Arctic by rapidly increasing its Arctic investments to conduct research for intelligence and military purposes.
The White House will ensure the security of the United States in this region by "raising awareness of the state of affairs in the marine waters," improving communications, building capacity to respond to natural disasters and increasing the capabilities of its icebreaker fleet. The United States plans to provide the necessary military presence in the Arctic, while reducing risks and preventing escalation.
FOR ALL THE GOOD, AGAINST ALL THE BADThe conclusion to the new strategic document states:
"We are confident that the United States, together with its allies and partners, is ready to succeed in its quest for a free, open, prosperous and secure world order. By addressing the key elements outlined in this strategy, we will meet the dual challenge of our time: to outperform rivals in order to shape an international order to address common challenges, including climate, pandemics and food security.
We are motivated by a clear vision of what success will look like at the end of this crucial decade.
Using national forces and rallying a broad coalition of allies and partners, we will achieve the promotion of our vision of a free, open, prosperous and secure world and defeat competitors and enemies.
This is what we must achieve in this crucial decade. As America has done throughout its history, we will seize this moment and accept the challenge. There is no time to lose."
Vladimir Ivanov
Columnist of the Independent Military Review
