US national defence strategy names Russia "persistent threat"

The United States has officially identified Russia as a persistent source of threat in its newly released national defence strategy, highlighting Moscow’s ongoing military capabilities and its potential to challenge American and allied interests.

The Pentagon emphasised that, while Russia faces economic and demographic challenges, its continued war in Ukraine demonstrates that it retains significant industrial and military resources, along with the national resolve to sustain protracted conflicts in its near abroad.

Although Russia’s immediate military threat is largely concentrated in Eastern Europe, the report notes that the country possesses the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, which it is actively modernising, along with advanced undersea, space, and cyber capabilities that could potentially be deployed against the U.S. homeland.

The strategy outlines that the United States will continue to ensure that its forces are fully prepared to defend against any Russian threats while maintaining a critical role in NATO. At the same time, the Pentagon plans to calibrate U.S. force posture and activities in Europe to account for both the Russian threat and the capacities of allied nations. According to the report, Moscow does not currently have the capacity to assert hegemony over Europe, as NATO’s combined economic and population strength far exceeds that of Russia.

The document emphasises that, although Europe remains strategically important, its share of global economic power is declining. Consequently, the U.S. will prioritise defending its own homeland and deterring China, while remaining engaged in Europe. NATO allies, particularly Germany, whose economy alone surpasses Russia’s, are expected to take the lead in Europe’s conventional defence, with the United States providing critical but more limited support.

Under the strategy, NATO countries have committed to raising defence spending to a new global standard of 5% of GDP in total, including 3.5% dedicated to hard military capabilities. This framework positions European allies to lead in areas such as conventional defence and support for Ukraine, with the U.S. emphasising that securing and sustaining peace will require sustained leadership and commitment from NATO partners.

The strategy notes that, while Russia remains a serious and persistent threat, the combination of NATO’s collective strength, U.S. preparedness, and allied commitments ensures that Europe’s security and American interests remain protected.

By Tamilla Hasanova