US NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY

President Joe Biden’s national security strategy aims to earn back the US’s “position of leadership” in international institutions amid a “growing rivalry” with powers such as China and Russia

REAFFIRMING ALLIANCES & BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

US pledged to reaffirm ties with NATO members and traditional allies, and said it will maintain a “more robust” military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

INDIA CONNECT: The report said US recognises the “deepest connection” with Indo-Pacific region and Europe, and will “deepen our partnership with India” along with other ASEAN members.

FOCUS ON CLIMATE CHANGE, PANDEMIC

• US will make clean energy a “central pillar” of its economic recovery efforts and gain “international credibility” as the leader of global climate change agenda. This will involve more job creations and investments.

• US will “join with the international community” to fight the threat posed by Covid-19, and help “reform” World Health Organization.

COUNTERING CHINESE INFLUENCE

• When threatened, the Biden administration will “answer Beijing’s challenge” and “confront unfair and illegal trade practices”

• The US will “support China’s neighbours” in defending their rights, support Taiwan and “stand up for democracy and human rights” in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet.

MEASURED MILITARY POLICY

Diplomacy first: As part of its policy, the US will focus on “elevating diplomacy” as its first resort and a “responsible use of” military in dealing with issues of national defence. N-weapons: Washington will address the threat of nuclear weapons, and will engage in dialogue with Russia and China on emerging military tech developments

Middle-east: The report said US will not engage in “forever wars” and will work to end America’s longest war in Afghanistan. It will “right-size” its military presence in the Middle East, deter Iranian “aggression” and protect other US interests.

TRADE AND ECONOMIC CRISIS

Reforms: US will ensure international trade rules aren’t “tilted” against America. While promoting fair trade rules, Washington will “work with allies” to reform the World Trade Organization.

• US will “respond” to the economic crises triggered by the pandemic by providing relief to millions of Americans, along with creating jobs in sectors such as infra, manufacturing, and tech.

THREAT OF AUTHORITARIANISM

As “authoritarianism is on the global march”, the Biden administration will focus on upholding democratic processes in the US and collaborate with allies to “revitalise democracy the world over”. This will involve countering “hostile adversaries” over cross-border aggression, cyberattacks and disinformation, among other issues.

"China is the only country with the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to seriously challenge the stable and open interna- tional system. Our relationship with China will be competitive when it should be, collaborative when it can be and adversarial when it must be. And we will engage China from a position of strength."

"Our relationship with China will be competitive when it should be, collaborative when it can be and adversarial when it must be. And we will engage China from a position of strength." — Antony Blinken, US secretary of state