Policy and strategy A wakeup call.

In the US's National Defence Strategy 2022, which was released in October, both Russia and China figure ominously. In the said strategy, integrated deterrence including increased partnerships with American allies and partners plays a central role to defending against both the grave and strategic threats posed by those two nations. According to US's deputy undersecretary of defence for policy, strategy, plans and capabilities, China has both the intent and, increasingly, the capability to challenge the United States militarily, economically, technologically and diplomatically. While Russia doesn't pose the same long-term strategic threat, it does pose a more urgent short-term threat. Because of this, and as evidenced by the now yearlong Russian invasion of Ukraine, the department has identified Russia as an 'acute threat.'

One example of how the U.S. operationalised integrated deterrence as it relates to Russia, included the U.S. response following the February 24, 2022, Russian invasion of Ukraine. It included surge of U.S. forces to Europe as the conflict was kicking off from 80,000 to 100,000 troops in Europe, which was possible because of close relationship with so many of those countries and because of prepositioned equipment and commonality of threat. NATO allies stepped up to enhance their presence in Eastern Europe, and as part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, that is led by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, some 50 nations have banded together to help meet Ukraine's current and future defense needs. Therefore the NATO allies and other partners remain central to the U.S. Integrated Deterrence effort.

When it comes to China, the U.S. department of defence is investing in a combat credible force and investing in critical capabilities across domains such as cyber and space. This is being manifested through construction of new ships, modernisation of the Army and the Marine Corps and the advancement of air power and key investments in various aircrafts. In space, the DoD is investing in the fielding of resilient satellite constellations and in boosting U.S. resilience in cyber. When it comes to partnerships, the U.S. is working with key allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region to build and deepen security cooperation efforts. The new strategic partnership like AUKUS (Australia, the U.K. and the United States) is focused on enhancing regional stability and safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific versus China, and it's...