Pentagon’s Defense Strategy Puts US Interests in Western Hemisphere as Top Priority The Pentagon’s latest National Defense Strategy, released on January 23rd, elevates homeland defense and the protection of U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere to the highest priority. Key objectives include securing U.S. borders, maritime domains, and airspace, alongside ensuring access to critical locations like the Panama Canal and the Gulf of America. The strategy indicates a readiness to engage with neighbors in the Americas but also to take decisive action if shared interests are not respected or defended.

• Pentagon’s new National Defense Strategy released Jan. 23.
• Homeland defense and Western Hemisphere interests are top priorities.
• Focus shifts from countering China.
• Priorities include securing U.S. borders, maritime domains, and airspace.
• Ensuring access to key terrain like the Panama Canal and the Gulf of America.
• Commitment to engaging with neighbors but ready for decisive action if interests aren’t respected.