Modern War Institute What to Make of the New National Defense Strategy
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Jan 31, 2026 Pat Sullivan, Army colonel focusing on doctrine and military education; Mark Cancian, retired Marine and budget/force posture analyst; Frank Hoffman, retired Marine and strategy expert. They probe the new National Defense Strategy’s audiences and classified gaps. They debate shifts toward homeland and hemispheric priorities, implications for allies and adversaries, simultaneity across theaters including space, and industrial base and funding challenges.
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Summary Is A Skeleton, Not The Plan
- The public NDS is a skeletal summary and hides critical classified details needed to judge implementation.
- Dr. Frank Hoffman warns the unclassified document shows the framework but not the operational 'flesh' or tradeoffs.
Homeland Rises, Europe De-Emphasized
- The 2026 NDS shifts priorities: homeland/hemisphere rises while Europe is de-emphasized.
- Mark Cancian identifies missile defense and Taiwan support as moderated but persistent priorities.
Hemispheric Security Framed As Homeland Defense
- The NDS conflates homeland defense with hemispheric security to close perceived gaps near U.S. borders.
- Pat Sullivan warns this assumes geographic distance still provides strategic advantage despite a shrinking world.
