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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

Rosemary
Kelanic

Director, Middle East Program

Defense Priorities

Christopher
McCallion

Fellow

Defense Priorities

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert

Defense Priorities

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

ExplainerBurden sharing, Basing and force posture, Europe and Eurasia

Stop bargaining with Europe, start leaving

By Benjamin Friedman and Moritz Graefrath

May 27, 2026

Key Points The Trump administration’s harsh rhetoric toward NATO allies obscures that the U.S. defense posture in Europe remains mostly […]

In the mediaGrand strategy

Tulsi Gabbard Takes the Exit Ramp

Featuring William Walldorf

May 22, 2026

Op-edGrand strategy, Middle East, Ukraine‑Russia

Trump’s Diplomacy Has Stalled

By Daniel DePetris

May 20, 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?”