Month: September 2025

Trump’s Military: Shifting Priorities, Impact  g.co/gemini/share/9d9b90d4c8…
Trump and the US Military: A Paradigm Shift in Priorities and its Enduring Impact

Washington D.C. – A significant shift in the focus and priorities of the United States military has been a defining feature of Donald Trump’s political tenure. Guided by an “America First” foreign policy, his administration has reoriented the armed forces towards a more nationalist and transactional posture, emphasizing rebuilding domestic military strength, challenging traditional alliances, and prioritizing strategic competition with nations like China and Russia.1 This departure from decades of established U.S. defense policy carries profound significance, with far-reaching impacts on military readiness, global partnerships, and the very structure of the armed forces. Predictions for the current term suggest a deepening of these trends, with a continued emphasis on a powerful, independent military force less encumbered by international commitments.

Rebuilding at Home: The “Peace Through Strength” Doctrine

A central tenet of the Trump administration’s military agenda has been the pledge to “rebuild” the U.S. armed forces.2 This has translated into significant increases in the defense budget, with a focus on modernization and enhancing the lethality of the military.3 During his first term, this push led to investments in advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles and a renewed focus on nuclear capabilities.4 The stated goal was to ensure the U.S. military remains the most powerful in the world, a concept encapsulated in the oft-repeated mantra of “peace through strength.”

This domestic focus also manifested in a drive to improve military readiness, which proponents argued had been degraded by years of sustained overseas conflicts and budget constraints.5 The emphasis has been on ensuring that American forces are prepared for high-intensity warfare against peer and near-peer competitors.

A Transactional Approach to Alliances

Perhaps one of the most significant departures from traditional U.S. foreign policy has been the Trump administration’s approach to military alliances. Longstanding partnerships, particularly with NATO members, have been subjected to a cost-benefit analysis, with a persistent demand that allies increase their own defense spending to the agreed-upon 2% of GDP. This transactional approach has strained relations with key allies, who have at times viewed the U.S. commitment to collective security as conditional.6

The “America First” framework has led to a questioning of the utility of extensive overseas troop deployments and a desire to reduce the nation’s role as the world’s policeman. This has resulted in troop withdrawals from various regions and a more critical evaluation of the benefits of forward-deployed forces.

The Rise of the Space Force and a New Warfighting Domain

A landmark development of the first Trump administration was the establishment of the United States Space Force in 2019, the first new branch of the armed forces in over 70 years.7 This move recognized the growing importance of space as a warfighting domain and aimed to consolidate and elevate the military’s focus on protecting U.S. assets in orbit and deterring aggression in space. The creation of the Space Force signaled a significant shift in military strategy, acknowledging that future conflicts will likely extend beyond traditional terrestrial, aerial, and maritime domains.

Withdrawal from International Agreements

The Trump administration has also demonstrated a willingness to withdraw from international agreements and treaties that it deems not in the best interest of the United States.8 The pullout from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and the Open Skies Treaty are prominent examples.9 These decisions were driven by a belief that these agreements were flawed and unfairly constrained the U.S. The military impact of these withdrawals has been a subject of intense debate, with some arguing it has increased regional instability and undermined arms control efforts, while others contend it has freed the U.S. from agreements that did not adequately address national security threats.

Predictions for the Current Term: A Sharpened Focus

Looking ahead, expert analysis suggests a continuation and potential intensification of these established trends during the current Trump administration. Key predictions include:

Sustained Budgetary Emphasis on Modernization: The focus on equipping the military with cutting-edge technology to counter China and Russia is expected to remain a top priority. This will likely involve continued investment in areas like artificial intelligence, cyber warfare capabilities, and next-generation weapons systems.10
Personnel and Leadership Alignment: A concerted effort to appoint military leaders who are in lockstep with the “America First” agenda is anticipated. The reported consideration of a “warrior board” to vet senior officers suggests a desire for a military leadership that is less inclined towards traditional interventionism and more focused on national defense.11
Re-evaluation of “Woke” Policies: The administration has signaled a clear intent to roll back diversity and inclusion initiatives within the military, which it has labeled as “woke.”12 This is framed as a move to refocus the military on its core warfighting mission.
Continued Pressure on Allies: The transactional approach to alliances is likely to persist, with continued demands for increased burden-sharing and a potential for further re-evaluation of U.S. troop commitments abroad.
A More Assertive Posture Towards China: The strategic competition with China is expected to be the central organizing principle of U.S. defense policy. This will likely involve a more confrontational stance in the Indo-Pacific and a greater emphasis on naval and air power to counter Chinese influence.

In conclusion, the Trump era has ushered in a significant reorientation of the U.S. military, shifting its focus inward towards domestic strength and modernization while adopting a more skeptical and transactional approach to its role in the world. The long-term significance and impact of this paradigm shift will continue to unfold, but it is clear that the “America First” doctrine has fundamentally altered the trajectory of American defense policy and its engagement with the global community.

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 30, 2025