Allies and enemies are used to America manning the front lines in Eurasia in force, as it did throughout the Cold War and into the Russian Decline Era.* Pulling back to a reserve role is mistakenly viewed as retreat.
In this framework, the American homeland is the center point. The first and most immediate line of security is the border. The second is the regional periphery-the Caribbean and Latin America. Only after these inner circles are secured, the logic goes, can the United States effectively project power more globally.
The strategy seeks a firmer economic and military foundation of American power in the Western Hemisphere. The Western Hemisphere is the geographic foundation (defined more broadly) of operating abroad. While the strategy hopes to use non-military means as the main effort for national security, it does not disarm America in the belief that military power is unnecessary. Recall America’s Ten Year Rule as a warning about that approach.
I think the strategy is broad enough in scope to allow for a larger overseas military mission if all else fails. But this isn’t dogma. Circumstances can lead America to abandon this rule book and rewrite it on the fly.
America isn't retreating. America is reloading. Which includes making sure America has the bullets to finish the job.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
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