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Grand Strategy

Grand strategy is the centerpiece of a nation’s foreign policy, setting national priorities to match available means with vital security goals. The United States’ post-Cold War grand strategy has proven to be a costly failure that has overstretched U.S. capabilities. A fundamental realignment of U.S. grand strategy emphasizing restraint is long overdue, and more urgent than ever.

GRAND STRATEGY EXPLAINED

GRAND STRATEGY EXPERTS

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

Christopher
McCallion

Fellow

Defense Priorities

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert

Defense Priorities

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

Rajan
Menon

Former Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

William
Ruger

Former Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

William
Walldorf

Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

Erik
Gartzke

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities

In the mediaGlobal posture, Europe and Eurasia, Grand strategy

The meaning of “America First” is in flux

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

January 20, 2026

Indeed the Venezuela campaign marked an “externalisation” of a domestic agenda that brings military might to drug and immigration enforcement, […]

op-edVenezuela, Grand strategy

Why Trump’s Venezuela adventurism is a strategic disaster

By Alexander Langlois

January 16, 2026

op-edGrand strategy, Americas, Venezuela

Wars without clear purpose erode presidential legacies, and Trump risks political consequences with further military action in Venezuela

By William Walldorf

January 13, 2026

Symposia: Realistic recommendations for Trump II

Defense Priorities organized this symposium to stimulate thinking about policies that should be adopted by the incoming administration. Top experts shared their insights in an effort to inform and improve U.S. policy. Each contributor provided an answer to the same question: “What is the most important, realistic policy the incoming administration should adopt to advance U.S. national interests?”