In this episode of The Deep Dive, we unpack one of the most consequential shifts in U.S. defense policy in decades. The 2026 National Defense Strategy—issued under Secretary Pete Hegseth—marks a decisive turn toward a revived Peace through Strength doctrine. At its core is a sharpened America First agenda, redefining how Washington intends to confront a more volatile world. We explore how the strategy elevates homeland security as the nation’s primary mission, treating domestic resilience as the foundation of global power. Then we dive into its hard line on China, outlining a deterrence posture built around Indo‑Pacific dominance and rapid military modernization. The document also calls for a sweeping revival of America’s industrial base, framing factories, shipyards, and supply chains as strate ...