Breaking down the White House National Security Strategy (Biden Administration 2022)
On October 12, the White House released their National Security Strategy for 2022. In this long-awaited document, President Joe Biden and his administration breaks down how they plan on advancing America’s interests despite such political divide, tackle challenges, and remain the world power in a tight race against rising powers.
They emphasized a need for a robust leadership to shape the future and international order, calling for increased global cooperation, vowing to stand by American values. They shared their vision of a free, open, prosperous, and secure nation — despite economic uncertainty.
President Biden boasted about his goal of investing in America’s strategic advances: adding 10 million jobs, rebuilding the economy, and reinvigorating the country’s network of partnerships and alliances (specifically, Europe, the Indo-Pacific, Australia, and the United Kingdom). In the first few paragraphs, he calls out the People’s Republic of China, which he said is attempting to reshape the international order to fit their benefit, and Russia’s attack on Ukraine. He ends his opening statement with a call for the United States to continue defending democracy, winning the 21st Century competition, emerging stronger from every crisis.
Vision: The Biden Administration (referred to as “Biden or he” throughout) believes that there is a window of opportunity to deal with shared threats around the world (climate change). Then, there are two strategic challenges facing America:
1. He acknowledges that the Post-Cold War era is over and competition is ripe — and that the country must remain foundational in principles of determination, territorial integrity, and political independence. He states that foreign policy choices and information must flow freely and human rights must be upheld.
2. We must stay focused, cooperative, and “clear-eyed” while tackling international challenges with other governments. He ends the vision with rooting the strategy in national interests: protecting Americans, economic opportunity, and defending democratic values despite the competition.
Role: Despite the United States being tested as the major world power, Biden says that we must protect our economy, population, innovation and military power. In a hodgepodge of adjectives, he calls out America’s unique opportunities to display creativity, resilience, and hold our values through a variety of sources (including diplomacy, intelligence, and military power). He acknowledges that our politics are NOT always smooth and straightforward — and that is because of our diversity and willingness to accept differences that allows us to live in freedom.
Cooperation: A major focus of the Strategy is to call out nations that are not cooperating on a global scale. Specifically, Biden identified China (PRC) and Russia as individual countries that are unwilling to work with the international community on many things. Some of these categories include human rights, COVID-pandemic (public health), economics, and climate change. He warns against authoritarianism, which often worsens the effects of corruption, exploitation, cyber-attacks, and terrorism, among other nefarious topics of consideration. A focus is then put on Russia’s weaponization of oil and gas, with the United States working closely with allies to stabilize energy markets and improve the lives of the American people despite the effects of climate change.
Strategic Approach: The United States wants to have a country that is secure, free from aggression, coercion, and intimidation. This requires three lines of defense: 1. investing in American sources; 2. building a strong coalition of nations to fix shared challenges; and 3. modernize and strengthen our military.
Investing: The President calls upon investing in critical domestic sources — especially the middle class, to increase strength at home. He says that the United States must pursue a modern and innovative strategy for national resilience, securing critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, water, supply chains, and public-private partnerships. The CHIPS and Science Act authorizes $20 billion for the semiconductor business, and other monetary investments will help fund biotechnology and bio-manufacturing jobs for Americans. The Inflation Reduction Act invests in domestic energy, manufacturing, and reduction of carbon emissions to combat the climate crisis. He also says this will create new jobs and keep the production/control within American borders. He speaks about investing in the people: educational opportunities and securing strong, fair immigration systems.
Diplomacy: Biden speaks about building immense networks of allies to defend a free, open world (NATO, bilateral treaty allies including AUKUS, and the Quad). He speaks to aligning goals with the G7 and playing an active role in the Indo-Pacific. We must hold countries that abuse human rights accountable and fight for equality on an international level. He emphasizes the Unites States’ role in fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and providing strides to reach universal health coverage. The World Bank and IMF are identified as critical partners in the economic fight for international financial security and a stronger economy at home.
Military: The Administration states that America will not hesitate to use force when necessary to defend national interests, only as a last resort when the objectives and mission is clear and achievable, falling within values and laws. They hope that the military will safeguard vital U.S. interests, deter conflict, project strength, and protect American people. They must act quickly, as the PRC is also pacing ahead. He acknowledges the end of the war in Afghanistan and the need to innovate and evolve battlefield and mission options. They was to develop and product military technology and have the best options when deterring nuclear threats. He vows to promote diversity and inclusion in the military, expanding suicide-prevention and sexual harassment/violence resources, and reducing extremism.
Integrated Deterrence: the United States’ biggest enemies are the PRC and Russia. The National Defense Strategy will call upon seamless combinations of capabilities to defend against hostile activities including:
1. Integration across domains (land, air, maritime, cyber, space, economic, technological, and informational sectors).
2. Integration across regions
3. Integration across a spectrum of conflict
4. Integration across the US Government (diplomacy, intelligence, economic tools)
5. Integration with allies and partners (joint development, posture planning, coordinated economic and diplomatic approaches)
Global Priorities: In a nutshell, the two main priorities include China and Russia. For China, Biden acknowledges that it is a competitor that has the intentions to reshape the world order, with resources to do so. It is apparent that they have ambitions and the means to influence other countries to adapt an authoritarian model — making other countries more dependent on them, modernizing their military for further reliance, and eroding U.S. alliances. They are central to the global economy and have an impact on global health and the climate. We must invest in at-home strength and democracy, align with our allies, and compete responsibility across all sectors. We plan to hold Beijing accountable for abuses (genocide, crimes, human rights violations, and silencing their citizens). We also hope to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straight, upholding the Taiwan Relations Act to help Taiwan’s self-defense. Overall, we really want to avoid any escalations.
For Russia, their invasion of Ukraine and intervention in Syria (with attempts to de-stabilize neighbors and countries) are called to center stage. It is also noted that their attempts to interfere with U.S. and other countries’ elections are brazen and we know, deeply, about their attempts to sow divisions in America via cyber and intelligence operations. Our actions will, at the end of the day, be determined by the results of the war in Ukraine.
Cooperation: Despite divisions with China and Russia, the United States is fully committed to cooperating on international scale to address shared threats. This includes climate and security, pandemics and biodefense, food insecurity, arms control and non-proliferation, and terrorism (Specifically Al-Qa’ida, ISIS, and violence in Syria/Yemen/Somalia).
Indo-Pacific: The U.S. hopes to work with other nations to keep the Indo-Pacific open and accessible, free to make their own choices. We support them by advocating for democratic values such as free press, and working with ASEAN partners. We hope to expand our regional treaty alliances and partnerships in the area to defend against PRC’s coercive behavior.
Europe: We hope to strengthen our relationship with NATO, raising to the level of ambition in the U.S.-EU relationship. We hope to work with NATO to deter against aggression, pursuant to our goals of keeping the world stable, and encouraging democratic mindsets.
North America: Biden calls out the actions taken, and what will be done, to prevent more deaths from COVID-19. He plans to lead the charge to expand legal pathways for immigration and combat human smuggling. He hopes to work with Mexico and Canada, our direct neighbors, to advance the American vision for the future and address joint challenges.
Middle-East: Biden put forth a five principles for the ME including: a) supporting countries for a rules-based order to help defend against threats; b) defend the Middle Eastern waterways for freedom of navigation; c) reduce and end conflicts through diplomacy; d) build connections via defense structures and economic connections while respecting each country; and e) promoting human rights.
He specifically promises that they are working hard to deter Iran’s stabilization activities and their ability to acquire a nuclear weapon. They are prepared to use other means if diplomacy does not work. They also hope to alleviate suffering and reduce violence/terrorism with the Abraham Accords, deepening ties with Israel.
Africa: The United States must focus on Africa, as they are youthful, mobile, and crucial to solving problems in the coming years. We want to support their peace and prosperity, helping them renew democracy and anticipate/fix long-running conflicts.
They also adhere to the protection of the Arctic, while protecting interconnected oceans, lands, waterways, and other ecosystems for economic opportunity and commercial/military activities.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the National Security Strategy focuses on the pursuit of a free, open, prosperous, and secure global order. It outlines our commitment to our allies, and the growing partnerships we have and are creating across the world. It outlines key challenges and goals: outpacing our rivals but working together to tackle shared issues. Some of the key shared issues include climate change, pandemic preparedness, and food security. We look ahead to take on cybersecurity, emerging technology, and growth in trade and economics. The Administration makes note of their clear vision despite a decisiveness among Americans at home, and threats from abroad (specifically China and Russia). The Biden Administration hopes to expand diplomatic values and relationships, stay steadfast in their vision and goals, modernize the American military, protect the homeland and our interests, and stay steadfast in values (promoting human rights and values) by rising to the challenge.
