REVIEW OF THE 2018 NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: A Glimpse into the New Administration's Security Strategy

“This National Security Strategy puts America First.”?

— Donald Trump, 2018 National Security Strategy ?

In December 2017, the Trump administration unveiled the 2018 National Security Strategy (NSS), representing one of the most consequential shifts in U.S. security policy since World War II. For decades, America’s national security priorities were outward-facing, emphasizing global alliances, multilateralism, and the spread of democratic ideals.

The 2018 NSS disrupted this paradigm by introducing an “America First” philosophy. This viewpoint reorients U.S. strategy toward defending the homeland, rejuvenating the economy, and advancing American influence by prioritizing domestic strengths and favorable alliances while minimizing commitments to disadvantageous foreign entanglements and agreements.

This pivot was not merely rhetorical—it reflected a broader transformation in how the United States defines and protects its national interests. The NSS reframed U.S. security policy as an extension of economic and technological preeminence, promoting American prosperity as a cornerstone of global influence.

However, this historic realignment faced resistance from entrenched institutional beliefs and political polarization, limiting its full implementation. Understanding the national security priorities outlined in the document remains crucial as the United States confronts evolving challenges and provides a potential glimpse into the next security strategy.

INTRODUCTION

At the heart of the 2018 National Security Strategy are key national interests that reshape America's priorities in safeguarding its future. They emphasize a return to foundational principles: protecting the homeland, fostering economic prosperity, and preserving peace and global influence through domestic and military strength and persevering leadership. The NSS codified them through four security pillars:

1. Protect the American people, the homeland, and the American way of life.
2. Promote American prosperity.
3. Preserve peace through strength.
4. Advance American influence.

This essay examines these foundational pillars, highlighting significant strategy shifts and providing insight into their continued relevance and growing challenges threatening American security. It argues that the strategy's focus on economic resilience, American prosperity, and domestic priorities has redefined America's role, which will guide the new administration’s overall security strategy.

SECURITY PILLARS

Pillar I: Protect the American People, the Homeland, and the American Way of Life

Securing the homeland remains the primary responsibility of national security policy. The National Security Strategy addresses critical challenges such as border security, weapons of mass destruction, missile defense, and the pursuit of terrorist threats. Many of these challenges persist and, in some cases, have intensified.

The southern border presents a considerable vulnerability. Since 2021, nearly 11 million illegal migrants have entered the United States. This includes over 100,000 convicted criminals, 2,500 individuals affiliated with gangs, and close to 1,000 linked to terrorist organizations. It's important to note that non-apprehension rates can vary from 30% to 50%, suggesting that these figures may be underreported, reinforcing a public safety and national security crisis.

Equally concerning is America's layered missile defense system or how America will defend itself from its only existential threat, a nuclear exchange. While technological advancements and promises of an increased budget for advanced missile systems have been made, current missile defense plans and capabilities remain inadequate. A lack of prioritization and insufficient funding limit their effectiveness; only 3% of the Department of Defense budget is allocated for missile defense, creating a substantial gap in defending the homeland against emerging conventional and nuclear threats.

The most significant shift, however, lies in how America will address terrorism and other foreign threats. Historically, the U.S. has relied on military intervention abroad to counter these threats before they impact the homeland. The 2018 NSS fundamentally shifts towards alternative methods like diplomatic and economic means to protect American interests while reducing antagonizing military engagements. This recalibration aims to enhance internal security without the resource strain associated with prolonged foreign conflicts.

Pillar II: Promote American Prosperity

The NSS prioritizes economic strength as the foundation of national security, asserting that a prosperous America is a more effective and sustainable tool of influence than historical interventionist methods.

The strategy calls for bold initiatives to reinvigorate economic growth, including fair trade agreements, deregulation, tax reforms, energy independence, and "Made-in-America" policies. These efforts aim to reverse trade imbalances, protect U.S. industries, and ensure global partnerships primarily benefit American interests.

Innovation and technological leadership are also central to this vision. By investing in research and development, safeguarding intellectual property (IP), and fostering an environment of creativity, the United States can maintain its competitive edge. The NSS underscores a critical link: a technologically dominant America is better equipped to deter adversaries and project influence worldwide.

Energy independence further strengthens this connection. Modernizing infrastructure, expanding exploration, deregulating, and leveraging energy exports enable the U.S. to achieve self-sufficiency, enhancing economic and strategic resilience. In essence, energy independence is American prosperity and the foundation of its security.

Pillar III: Preserve Peace Through Strength

The NSS underscores that America’s unmatched military power remains its greatest security asset. The United States possesses a unique ability to project and sustain significant forces globally— a capability that must endure and continue to evolve.

However, “with great power comes great responsibility.” The NSS advocates for strategic restraint in deploying U.S. forces, limiting military interventions to scenarios threatening the homeland. This stance critiques past overreaches, such as prolonged nation-building efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and advocates for a more judicious use of military power.

Focusing on technological and logistical superiority can help the U.S. preserve peace without unnecessary foreign entanglements. This strategy reflects a hard-earned lesson: America’s security is best served when military strength is exercised prudently and purposefully.

Pillar IV: Advance American Influence

The 2018 NSS envisions a new approach to advancing U.S. influence abroad, relying less on military interventions and more on economic and diplomatic tools. It acknowledges that America’s power extends beyond force, encompassing a broader set of instruments to protect its interests and shape global outcomes.

Historically, advancing U.S. influence often came with costly diplomatic and military interventions and forced attempts to export democracy, which created unintended consequences. In contrast, the NSS stresses the value of economic preeminence as a more sustainable and effective path to influence.

The U.S. must leverage its diplomatic, financial, technological, and developmental tools to engage with partners and allies. Emerging frameworks like “MIDFIELD” (Military, Informational, Diplomatic, Financial, Intelligence, Economic, Law, and Development) embody a more holistic approach to influence. By balancing these tools, the U.S. can enhance its global standing while avoiding the pitfalls of overextension.

CONCLUSION

The 2018 National Security Strategy marked a pivotal shift in U.S. policy, redefining how America pursues its security, prosperity, and influence in an increasingly complex world. By prioritizing homeland security, economic strength, military readiness, and strategic global engagement, the NSS introduced a more domestically focused, pragmatic approach to safeguarding national interests.

However, this transformation faced challenges, including resistance from entrenched beliefs, political polarization, and evolving global threats. Nevertheless, its core philosophy remains highly relevant: a secure and prosperous America underpins global stability. For instance, Colby Eldredge, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense who served as the primary Defense Department representative in developing the 2018 NSS, has been nominated as the Undersecretary for Policy, making this strategy even more germane.

As the United States grapples with new adversaries, economic disruptions, and technological competition, the lessons of the 2018 NSS provide a clear foundation for future strategies. A strong America that protects its citizens grows its economy, wields its strength judiciously, and advances its influence through a comprehensive use of power will be better positioned as a dominant global force. This inward-focused philosophy reinforces a fundamental truth: America’s success begins at home.

Retired Air Force Major General Don McGregor is a combat veteran and an F-16 fighter pilot. While serving as a General Officer in the Pentagon, he was the National Guard Director of Strategy, Policy, Plans, and International Affairs, advising a four-star Joint Chiefs of Staff member. He was the lead liaison between the Council of Governors and the Secretary of Defense and administered the Department of Defense’s premier international affairs program, with over 80 global partnerships. He has held various operational command and director positions across the National Guard and military commands. Major General McGregor is an expert in defense strategy, policy, planning, and global security and is well-regarded for his expertise in the use of military forces to support federal agencies. He holds a master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Conflict Resolution from Norwich University.

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