The first National Security Strategy (NSS) under the Biden administration was released on October 12. The publication of the document, originally planned for last winter but postponed due to Russia’s impending invasion of Ukraine, details Vice President Biden’s views on the world’s greatest challenges and how the United States can protect its interests. The strategy identifies two primary strategic challenges: rivalry between great powers to form the future global order and transnational challenges like “climate change, food insecurity, communicable diseases, terrorism, energy shortages, or inflation.”
Strategically, Biden’s plan downplays Russia as a threat while labeling China “America’s most consequential geopolitical challenge.” This document declares the end of the Cold War era and names China as the “only competitor with both the intent to reshape the international order and increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to do it.” Russia is seen as a “immediate threat” to the international order, rather than as a potential long-term challenger.
