The 2026 US National Defense Strategy in the Middle East

The United States (US) National Defense Strategy (NDS) released in January 2026 marks a clear shift in American defense policy and global posture. It reflects the Trump administration’s broader “America First” worldview, highlighting military strength, realism and strategic prioritization. Unlike the 2022 strategy, which spoke of multilateralism, partnerships and shared responsibility, the new doctrine presents a more assertive, transactional approach; one that redefines US roles in key regions, especially the Middle East.

At its core, the 2026 NDS argues that the United States must return to a more traditional understanding of national power: protect the homeland, deter major rivals and require allies to shoulder more of the burden. The strategy frames the US military as the essential instrument for safeguarding American interests and preserving global stability through strength rather than idealism. In doing so, it signals a decisive departure from previous post-Cold War policies that the document claims weakened US influence and invited strategic challenges.

A strategic reset: from global idealism to realism

The new NDS begins with a stark critique of prior US policy. It argues that America’s global leadership was eroded by repeated military interventions, outsourcing of critical industries and weak alliance management. The strategy claims that the United States entered 2025 in a vulnerable position, facing rising threats across multiple regions and a weakened defense industrial base.

In response, the strategy proposes a “restoration” of US military power. The document emphasizes that the armed forces must remain unmatched in readiness, technology, and capacity. It describes the administration’s goal as ensuring that the US can deter conflict and, if necessary, win major wars across multiple theaters. This emphasis on deterrence through overwhelming strength forms the backbone of the new doctrine.

A new US approach in the Middle East

The most significant shift in the 2026 strategy concerns the Middle East. While previous strategies highlighted “sustainable” presence and partnership-building, the new NDS frames the region primarily through the lens of countering Iran and its proxies (including Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis and Iraqi factions). The document describes Iran as a central threat, particularly in its efforts to develop nuclear capabilities and destabilize the region through armed groups. Meanwhile, the document asserts that the region’s security and stability are essential to US interests, especially given the global energy market and maritime security.

Unlike earlier policies that often focused on broad regional stability and multilateral coalitions, the 2026 strategy stresses a more focused approach: empowering regional partners, reinforcing Israel as a key security anchor and reducing direct US military exposure where possible. The strategy openly calls for regional allies to take primary responsibility for deterring Iran, with the US providing targeted support and maintaining the ability to act decisively when needed.

This approach is reflected in the strategy’s focus on “burden-sharing,” a theme that runs through the document. The NDS states that allies must do more for their own defense; not as a favor to the United States, but because it is in their own interest. In the Middle East, this translates into strengthening Gulf partners, deepening security cooperation and integrating regional defense systems, especially among nations aligned through the Abraham Accords. Rather than maintaining large permanent deployments, the strategy favors a model of “focused engagement,” where the US supports regional partners and retains the ability to act rapidly when necessary. This approach aims to reduce American risk while ensuring that adversaries cannot dominate critical regions or threaten US interests.

Israel as a “model ally” and a central pillar of strategy

A key message of the NDS is that Israel is a “model ally” and should be further empowered to defend itself. The document highlights Israel’s ability to act decisively against threats and argues that the US should support such capabilities rather than restrain them. This represents a notable shift from earlier policies that often sought to balance regional relationships by limiting Israel’s autonomy or constraining its military options.

The strategy also stresses that US support for Israel is not merely a moral or political commitment, but a strategic necessity. By enabling Israel’s self-defense, Washington strengthens a key regional partner while reducing the need for direct American intervention. This was evident during the past 3 years, whereby Tel Aviv managed to weaken the presence, influence and capabilities of Iran and its allies (namely Hezbollah and Hamas); actors perceived as adversaries to the US and its interests in the region.

In conclusion, the strategy reflects a new American posture; one that prioritizes national interest and deterrence over global idealism. Whether this approach will produce stability or provoke new tensions remains to be seen. What is clear is that the United States is moving toward a more assertive and self-focused defense doctrine, reshaping its role in the entire world. In the Middle East, the message is especially clear: Iran is the primary threat, Israel is a central ally and regional partners must shoulder more of the burden for their own defense.