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Assessing Threats to U.S. Vital Interests

2026 Index of Military Strength

Key Topics

  • Assessing the Global Operating Environment
  • Assessing Threats to U.S. Vital Interests
  • An Assessment of U.S. Military Power
  • Topical Essays

About the Index

  • Preface
  • Contributors/Acknowledgments
  • Introduction
  • Executive Summary

Resources

  • Previous Indexes
  • Previous Topical Essays
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2026 Index of Military Strength

Assessing Threats to U.S. Vital Interests

China, Russia, Iran, North Korea

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Introduction: Assessing U.S. Vital National Security Interests

Mar 4, 2026 16 min read

China

Mar 4, 2026 Over an hour read

Russia

Mar 4, 2026 Over an hour read

Iran

Mar 4, 2026 Over an hour read

North Korea

Mar 4, 2026 About an hour read

Conclusion: Global Threat Levels

Mar 4, 2026 5 min read

Key Topics

Assessing the Global Operating Environment

Europe, Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa

An Assessment of U.S. Military Power

Army, Navy, USAF, USMC, Space, Missile Defense, Cyber, USCG, USMM

Topical Essays

American Way of War, Defense Industrial Base, Conservative Budget

Previous Indexes

View the PDFs

View and download previous Indexes of U.S. Military Strength.

Previous Topical Essays

Read the Topical Essays

View and download the topical essays from previous years.

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