The Logic of America’s Defense Strategy

Authors

• Elbridge A. Colby

Abstract

In this address at the National War College, Elbridge A. Colby, Under Secretary of War for Policy, explores the strategic logic underlying the 2026 National Defense Strategy. He argues that renewed major power rivalry, military competition, and the risks posed by nuclear-armed adversaries require the United States to align its military objectives, methods, and resources with concrete political goals and American interests. Colby presents a three-part framework for doing so: denial defense, which seeks to prevent an aggressor from seizing and holding key allied or partner territory; favorable escalation management, which places the burden and risks of escalation on the adversary; and a binding strategy designed to strengthen coalition cohesion and allied resolve. He also emphasizes the importance of deterrence, limited war, allied burden-sharing, and maintaining favorable regional balances of power. The speech concludes that preserving a “decent peace” requires credible military strength and readiness while avoiding strategies that impose costs and risks disproportionate to the interests at stake.