National Defense Strategy’s New Cold War

On January 20th, CBS News’ top story was headlined “Terrorism no longer the military’s top priority, Mattis says” and read: “Maintaining a military advantage over China and Russia is now Defense Secretary Mattis’ top priority.” The Trump Administration had issued a crucial document on how it will implement America’s national defense two days earlier. This document, the National Defense Strategy 2018 (NDS18), continues the hostility toward Russia that has characterized U.S. foreign policy since Barack Obama’s second term, but added to the U.S.’s global belligerence by tacking on some hostility toward China for good measure.