Washington, Jan 25 (NationPress) The United States asserts its aim for “a decent peace” with potential adversaries—not through conflict or endless warfare, but via sustained military strength and pragmatic realism, as outlined in the 2026 National Defense Strategy.

This strategy positions US military power as a means to ensure peace under conditions that safeguard Americans’ security, freedom, and prosperity, while also aligning with the interests of other nations, provided their demands are “reasonable and cabined.” This approach marks a significant shift from previous doctrines focused on open-ended conflicts, regime change, and ideological missions abroad.

“Our purpose will not be aggression or perpetual war. Instead, our goal is peace,” the document articulates, stressing that peace cannot come at the expense of “our people’s security, freedoms, and prosperity.”

The strategy dismisses what it describes as “grandiose strategies of the past post–Cold War administrations,” contending that those methods were disconnected from the practical interests of Americans. It takes on a “flexible, practical realism” that assesses threats based on their severity and direct impact on US interests.

The document emphasizes that the United States does not aim to resolve every global issue, nor does it conflate overseas threats with those to the American homeland. It categorically rejects the notion that imposing America’s way of life by force is essential, asserting that the military will concentrate on “the missions that matter most for Americans’ security, freedom, and prosperity.”

Moreover, the strategy highlights that securing peace cannot solely rely on restraint. “Wishing for a decent peace is not the same thing as bringing it about,” it states, noting that if diplomatic efforts are spurned, America’s armed forces “will stand ready to fight and win the nation’s wars in ways that make sense for Americans.”

The strategy posits that military strength is crucial for credible diplomacy. It asserts that the Joint Force must be prepared to deter adversaries and, if necessary, triumph against the gravest threats to US interests. By ensuring that the military remains “second to none,” the document affirms that the President will maintain the ability to employ force decisively when needed.

Linking peace through strength to deterrence, the strategy indicates that potential adversaries are less inclined to challenge US interests when faced with evident military capability and determination. This, it claims, is how the United States plans to establish conditions for enduring peace at home and abroad.

Additionally, the document clarifies that this approach does not equate to retreat or isolation. “Ours is not a strategy of isolation,” it states, outlining a model of focused engagement abroad driven by clear priorities and a sincere evaluation of available resources.

Central to this doctrine is the insistence that American interests take precedence. The strategy advocates for being “clear-eyed about the threats that we face” and candid with allies and partners about the necessity for them to enhance their own defenses—not as a favor to Washington but in their own interests.