Pentagon update on National Defense Strategy cites progress, omits key threats

A Pentagon update to Congress on implementation of the 2026 National Defense Strategy highlights increased spending, $53 billion for munitions, Golden Dome testing, counter-drone coordination and higher allied defense budgets. The document presents these items as evidence that the department is prioritizing homeland defense, deterrence and burden sharing. Critics note that it provides little discussion of depleted weapons inventories, costs from the Iran conflict, Russian aggression or the reduction of U.S. manned brigades in Europe, limiting its value as a comprehensive account of strategic risk.