America-first compass for new security strategy

The US's new National Security Strategy signals a “hands-off” approach towards matters that are not of American interests. All tools will be used to ensure the US's primacy remains intact

- Tara Kartha

Not even the most blasé among us can complain of boredom in international politics. Events are moving so swiftly that it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the latest developments, even for those in the business.

One of the most drastic changes that occurred recently was the shift in the US's geopolitical compass, as underlined in its new National Security Strategy (NSS) released by the Donald Trump administration. It is an astonishing document, quite unlike what is expected of a global power. The short point is that it has immediate implications for India’s security. That might need more changes in our policies across multiple areas.

US administrations over the years have released NSSs to orient the government, at all levels, towards the direction of their choosing. Everything, from budgeting to fighting doctrines of the armed forces, is based on the document. As such, it is usually big on “vision” in terms of global interests and the strengths needed to advance them. Trump's first administration talked of “advancing American influence in the world”. His second one simply wants a safe western hemisphere, and leaves the rest of the world to fend for itself, unless US security is involved — in which case, Washington expects each power to step up and contribute rather than leaving it to US troops and money. That said, it still mentions the vitality of uninterrupted oil and the security of Israel, among other issues. But the US is not getting into “nation-building”. That era is over.