The Pentagon published its National Defense Strategy for 2026 on Friday, outlining a return to the "peace through strength" doctrine, recognizing Israel as a "model ally" in the Middle East, prioritizing the defense of the American homeland, and placing an unprecedented demand on allies to bear the burden of security.
The 34-page document, signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, constituted a strategic message to Israel, solidifying its position as the United States' close partner in the Middle East and officially confirmed the results of the campaign against Iran.
Unlike previous strategies that sought to balance relationships in the region, the new document placed Israel at the center of American strategic thinking. The strategy defined Israel as a “model ally,” a country that does not ask the United States to fight on its behalf, but demonstrates both the willingness and the ability to defend itself independently, and is therefore deserving of unequivocal support.
The document sharply criticized the Biden administration, which, according to the report’s authors, “tied [Israel’s] hands” rather than empowering it after the October 7 attack. In a notable policy shift, the United States committed to removing bureaucratic and political obstacles in order to ensure Israel’s military superiority, based on the understanding that Israeli strength is a key pillar of regional stability.
The strategy also formally and explicitly echoed the success of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” stating that Iran’s nuclear program has been “obliterated,” a wording characteristic of US President Donald Trump.
Pentagon: Iran's 'axis of resistance' has been 'severely degraded'
The report noted that the “axis of resistance” built by Tehran, including Hezbollah and Hamas, has been “severely degraded” following intensive Israeli operations backed by the US. According to the new strategy, the regime in Tehran is at its weakest point in decades, enabling the US to reduce its direct military presence in the region and rely instead on a regional alliance led by Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Beyond the Middle East, the document redrew US global priorities, placing “homeland defense” at the top of the list. For the first time, the report directly linked national security to border security and instructed the military to act against drug cartels and terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere, using language reminiscent of the “Monroe Doctrine.”
On the European front, the document delivered a pointed message to NATO members. While Russia was defined as a “persistent but manageable threat,” the United States made clear that it will no longer bear the burden of defending Europe alone.
The strategy set a new target of 5% of GDP for defense spending by allied countries and stated that the US will provide “critical but more limited support,” while European countries will be required to assume primary responsibility for conventional defense on the continent.
Regarding China, which wasdefined as the central challenge, the US approach shifted from “confrontation” to deterrence “through strength.” The US declared that it does not seek to block China’s growth or change its policy, but rather to prevent it from dominating the Indo-Pacific.
The document emphasized the need to revitalize the American defense industrial base as a prerequisite for winning the great-power competition, and promised massive investments in advanced technologies and munitions production.
The most symbolic yet significant change seen in the report was the return to use of the historic name “War Department,” a move that, according to Secretary Hegseth, is intended to “restore the warrior ethos” to the US military and to focus on one mission: victory in wars.