2026 National Defense Strategy Deprioritizes Europe, Shifts Burden to Allies

The 2026 NDS establishes an explicit threat hierarchy with homeland defense and China deterrence at the top, while characterizing allies as 'freeloading dependents.' The strategy mandates that Europe handle Russia, South Korea handle North Korea, and Gulf partners handle Iran—though the US is simultaneously waging war in the Gulf. NATO's new 5% GDP defense spending benchmark formalizes the expectation of European self-sufficiency.