KEYS | Standing Up to China: New U.S. National Security Strategy
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The new U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS)[1], released this week by the Biden-Harris administration, complements the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance (March 2021) and aims primarily to protect the interests of the nation and achieve a free, open, prosperous, and secure world in a global context characterized by “competition.”
To address this, the NSS is focused on defending the national interests of the United States, defined by the protection of the American people; the expansion of prosperity and economic opportunities; and the promotion of democratic values.
GEOPOLITICAL AND STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
The document provides an analysis and assessment of the international strategic and geopolitical environment, identifying two central challenges. On one hand, the current competition among great powers that will shape the future scenario, where the United States is envisioned in a better position, and where there is a need to reinforce respect for principles such as self-determination, territorial integrity, and political independence. This competition among great powers is identified as a struggle between democracies and autocracies, highlighting the need to strengthen the principles that characterize the former and bolster alliances to confront the latter. In this regard, there is a clear, open, and direct reference to China and Russia. Moscow is identified as the immediate threat to a free and open international order, considering its aggression against Ukraine. Beijing, on the other hand, is seen as the only competitor capable of challenging the U.S. position, both for its intention to reconfigure the international order and for increasing its power in economic, diplomatic, military, and technological terms.
Additionally, the strategy emphasizes the task of addressing shared challenges, such as those of a transnational nature. These phenomena are related to climate change, food insecurity, communicable diseases, terrorism, cyberspace, energy crises, and economic challenges. In this context, the strategy recognizes the role that Washington can play, in clear association with its allies and also with multilateral institutions, to protect its interests, assist other states, and contain the actions of autocracies.
LINES OF EFFORT
To achieve the defined objective, three lines of effort were established:
1) Invest in the fundamental tools and resources that constitute U.S. power.
2) Maximize the strengthening of alliances that allow for influence in shaping the new strategic context and addressing shared challenges.
3) Modernize and strengthen the Armed Forces.
PILLARS OF THE STRATEGY
The strategic approach considers all elements of national power and is built on six pillars:
1) Eliminate the traditional division between foreign policy and domestic policy.
2) Value alliances and partnerships around the world as the most important strategic asset for contributing to international peace and stability, highlighting the interrelation between the European region and the Indo-Pacific.
3) Recognize China and Russia as the main security challenges, as well as other smaller states with regional impact, such as Iran and North Korea.
4) Avoid viewing the world solely from an exclusively confrontational perspective while simultaneously developing positive agendas that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in various regions, such as the Middle East, Africa, and the Western Hemisphere (Latin America).
5) Acknowledge that while globalization has brought immense benefits, it requires adjustments to address related global problems such as inequality and the emergence of actors like China, who, taking advantage of the international system, do not necessarily follow its rules.
6) Increase international cooperation based on a system of clear and respected rules, with efficient multilateral institutions.
ACTIONS TO BE IMPLEMENTED
a) National power and competitive advantages: The NSS aims to describe the actions that will be undertaken to achieve the objective. Thus, it emphasizes, first and foremost, the obligation to invest in national power to maintain competitive advantages over rival states. Similarly, it stresses the need to invest in people as the primary factor for success. Another important element highlighted by this strategy is the call to strengthen democracy within the United States itself, referencing that it has been challenged in recent years, both internally and by external interference.
b) Use of diplomacy to build strong coalitions: In this case, the network of alliances and partnerships that promote and protect U.S. interests worldwide is emphasized, which are fundamental for achieving national objectives. To this end, transformative cooperation is identified as necessary, with instances such as NATO, AUKUS, Five Eyes, and the QUAD being highlighted. Alongside this, the development of a more inclusive world is encouraged, where the rules underpinning the international order are respected, promoting economic exchange and prosperity, and facilitating cooperation to address common challenges.c) Modernization and strengthening of the Armed Forces:
The strategy highlights the need to maintain a strong military power to help safeguard and protect national interests, confront aggression, deter conflicts, project strength, and protect the American people and their economy. In this regard, it calls for maintaining advantages on the battlefield while limiting those of adversaries, emphasizing the obligation to deter China. The main objectives for the military forces are summarized as: defending territory; deterring aggression or attacks against the United States and its allies while preparing to fight and win in a war that diplomacy cannot prevent. INTEGRATED DETERRENCE
The document presents a vision of deterrence that combines various capabilities and elements, integrating different military domains (land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace) and non-military domains (economic, technological, and informational) across all regions of the world where the United States has interests. Furthermore, it aims to integrate across the entire spectrum of conflict and within all state agencies and organizations, incorporating allies and other partnerships in which it participates.
STRATEGY PRIORITIES
When identifying priorities, it is possible to mention that they are primarily driven by overcoming the strategic competition posed by China while simultaneously restricting Russia’s power. Second, the development of initiatives that increase international cooperation in response to the aforementioned shared challenges, even in the era of interstate competition. Third, the establishment of rules that define relationships and the functioning of the international system, as it was since 1945, given that existing mechanisms have not kept pace with technological and economic changes. In this regard, technology, the use of cyberspace, and the economy and trade are highlighted.
INDO-PACIFIC
The strategy states that the United States is a power with vital interests in the region, promoting the idea that it should be an open, interconnected, and secure area. To this end, it calls for coordinated action with regional allies to confront China’s coercive behavior. In this framework, countries such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and Thailand are highlighted, with which treaties are maintained and reaffirmed, as well as organizations such as ASEAN, QUAD, and AUKUS, in addition to the Pacific Islands.
EUROPE
In this case, there is a clear and defined intention to continue strengthening ties with the states of this continent and with NATO in particular. There is an appreciation of the commitment to support Ukraine and condemn Russia’s aggression against that country.
WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Regarding this geographical area, while it is noted that it represents the region with the most direct impact on the United States, there are not many new developments, as the intention to cooperate on matters related to strengthening democracy, economic resilience, and citizen security, as well as issues related to immigration, is reaffirmed. It is possible to highlight that the relationship with Canada and Mexico is prioritized in terms of deepening economic ties, while also addressing the need to confront the interference and influence of extra-regional states, especially China, Russia, and Iran.
MIDDLE EAST
The strategy seeks to change Washington’s role, reducing its prominence in the region. To this end, it will focus on supporting and strengthening partnerships with countries that respect the international order based on common rules; it will prevent regional or extra-regional powers from threatening the free navigation of surrounding waters; and it will act through diplomatic means to help reduce conflicts, among other measures.
AFRICA
Multiple potentials are recognized on the continent, highlighting, on one hand, the need to strengthen institutions, alliances, and partnerships within Africa, and on the other, that African states, with the help of the United States, address the current crises affecting countries such as Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Ethiopia, among others.
ARCTIC
It is defined as a region that must remain peaceful, stable, prosperous, and cooperative. However, it distinguishes and highlights that Russia has adopted a rather aggressive stance in the region, intensifying its presence and generating tension. Similarly, it recognizes that China has also increased its activities and investments in the Arctic. Ultimately, actions will be directed to maintain freedom of navigation and determine the extended continental shelf that corresponds to the United States, in accordance with international rules.
PROTECTION OF THE SEA, AIR, AND SPACE
Regarding this point, the idea of promoting Antarctica as a continent of peace, reserved for science, in accordance with the current Antarctic Treaty, is emphasized.
CONCLUSIONS
The government of President Joe Biden has finally published and disseminated its National Security Strategy, which includes the objectives, national interests, lines of action, and priorities for the state. This reinforces what AthenaLab has stated regarding the need for countries to have official instruments that organize and systematize this important state function.
- This strategy identifies China as the primary competitor for the United States, a country it hopes to surpass while maintaining the competitive advantages it still holds.
- Regarding Russia, while qualifying Moscow as the main immediate threat to security, it opts for a strategy of restricting its power and sphere of influence.
- The United States prioritizes strengthening alliances and partnerships in various regions; however, Europe and the Indo-Pacific appear to be the most significant.
- Regarding Latin America, no real and significant change is envisioned for the region in its relationship with Washington.
- However, it is possible to identify areas where Chile, by strengthening ties with the United States, can take advantage and protect its interests. Among these, it is deemed appropriate to explore the following:
- Actively incorporate Chile into the Indo-Pacific map. To date, our country does not clearly appear as a state that shares interests in that region; however, our most important trading partners are located in the area, in addition to having sovereign territories in Oceania. This should be a cross-cutting and ongoing activity, which can be carried out with other partners that Chile has in the region.
- Leverage the national contingency and the international environment created by the competition among great powers to establish cooperation channels on issues related to cyberspace, both in capacity development and in the formation of the architecture needed to address these challenges.
- Express the need and interest in developing technological and industrial capabilities in a scenario of increasing interest and Chinese companies in the region, including space capabilities.
- Continue working together with Washington to promote common interests in Antarctica while also gaining experience in the development of policies and actions to be implemented in the Arctic.
- Marcelo Masalleras, AthenaLab researcher
October 14, 2022
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