US security review will stress China threat

Significance

Despite Russian aggression in Europe, the forthcoming NSS is expected to reinforce the conclusion of the National Defense Strategy, issued in March, and the National Intelligence Threat Assessment, released in April, that China poses the primary threat to US interests.

Impacts

• The NSS will clarify the administration’s China policy, which has been characterised as ‘Trump-plus with sophistication’.
• Biden will continue recent efforts to reassure Asian partners such as Japan, South Korea and India that US support is steadfast.
• Washington will strongly assert its commitment to NATO, including Finnish and Swedish membership, to deter further Russian aggression.