Challenges Threaten 2022 US Defense Strategy Goals
A recent report detailed in the article “Report to Congress on Potential Implications of the National Defense Strategy” on USNI News outlines growing concerns regarding the United States’ ability to meet the demands of its 2022 National Defense Strategy (NDS), particularly in the face of increasingly assertive Chinese and Russian military postures. The report, prepared for Congress by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), examines the challenges inherent in executing a strategy that prioritizes deterrence and potential conflict management in the Indo-Pacific and Europe while maintaining commitments elsewhere.
Central to the report is the recognition that current U.S. military force structures, readiness levels, and technological capabilities may not be adequately aligned with the ambitions of the NDS. The strategy, which formally identifies China as the “pacing challenge” and Russia as an “acute threat,” calls for a shift toward integrated deterrence, greater operational resilience, and a focus on high-end warfare scenarios. However, the CRS raises questions about whether the Department of Defense (DoD) possesses the force posture and resources to effectively deter or defeat major adversaries while simultaneously meeting global demands.
Particularly concerning, according to the report, are potential shortfalls in the Navy’s ability to project power in contested maritime environments, a key element of the NDS’s focus on the Western Pacific. Analysts warn that a mismatch between stated defense goals and available capabilities could undermine strategic credibility and increase the risk of miscalculation by adversaries. The report highlights that the Navy’s fleet size, operational tempo, and shipbuilding plans remain under intense scrutiny, as the ability to maintain maritime superiority could be strained by both fiscal constraints and industrial capacity limitations.
Additionally, the CRS identifies a broader tension within U.S. defense policy: the challenge of simultaneously modernizing forces, maintaining global presence, and preparing for major conflicts. The sustainability of long-term deterrence, especially in light of advancing adversary technologies such as long-range precision weapons and cyber warfare capabilities, is uncertain absent increased investments or strategic recalibration.
Another notable element of the CRS assessment is the emphasis on coordination with allies and partners. The report stresses that integrated deterrence depends not only on U.S. military strength but also on robust alliances, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and NATO theaters. However, varying levels of military readiness and political cohesion among allies could complicate joint defense objectives.
Budgetary considerations also loom large. The report acknowledges efforts by the Biden administration to bolster defense spending, but notes that sustained increases will likely be needed to translate the strategic priorities of the NDS into operational realities. This raises difficult choices for Congress, especially amid domestic fiscal pressures and competing national priorities.
The CRS concludes by urging Congress to consider the implications of a potential mismatch between strategic ambition and force capability, warning that without deliberate alignment, the U.S. risks overextending its military or failing to prevail in future high-intensity conflicts. As outlined in the USNI News article, the report offers a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges confronting U.S. defense strategy at a time of intensifying global competition.
