War on the Rocks Strategy in Contention: Debating America's Global Priorities
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Jul 23, 2025 
A. Wess Mitchell, former Assistant Secretary of State, joins defense strategist Stacie Pettyjohn and foreign policy expert Justin Logan for a lively debate on U.S. global priorities. They tackle how to sequence American power amid rising threats from China, Russia, and Iran. The trio discusses the evolving landscape of military alliances, Israel's military independence, and the intricacies of missile strategies, while emphasizing the need for effective diplomacy and resource prioritization in today's complex geopolitical environment.
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Simultaneity Problem and Sequencing
- The U.S. faces a simultaneity problem with too many adversaries and limited military resources.
- A sequencing strategy focusing on diplomacy and allies can manage secondary theaters to concentrate forces on China.
Manage Diplomatic Demands Carefully
- Do not underestimate the diplomatic and resource demands needed to stabilize the Middle East.
- Avoid neglecting the Indo-Pacific allies who may grow impatient with delayed U.S. focus there.
European Defense Offloading
- Europe has the economic capacity to do much of its own defense against Russia.
- U.S. should offload European defense burdens and prioritize Asia to address major threats.
