Century American Strategic Framework

Key Chapter Title List

1. Strategic Framework for the 21st Century
2. The Path to National Survival
3. The Road to People's Prosperity
4. Competing More Effectively with China on the Global Stage
5. Climate Change and Energy Security
6. Conclusion
7. The World of the 1940s-1950s
8. This Is Not Your Grandfather's Cold War
9. Sustaining a Solid Defense Foundation
10. Shaping an International Environment Conducive to National Objectives
11. Alliances, Partnerships, and International Organizations
12. Strengthening the Foundation of American Innovation

Document Introduction

Global events over the past four years have triggered a fundamental shift in the international order. Factors such as the war in Ukraine, the escalation of strategic competition between China and the United States, and the restructuring of supply chains post-COVID-19 have collectively propelled the world into a new geopolitical landscape. Against this backdrop, the United States faces core strategic questions: whether to continue maintaining global leadership, how to respond to China's rise, and how to balance domestic development with international responsibilities. This report is a systematic response to these issues.

Centered on the core mission of national survival and people's prosperity as established by the U.S. Constitution, the report constructs the analytical foundation for a 21st-century American strategic framework. It first reviews the historical context of the U.S.-led international order established after World War II, contrasts the differences between the current strategic environment and that of the Cold War era, and clearly states that the current Sino-American competition is not a new Cold War but a comprehensive competition spanning political, economic, technological, diplomatic, and other dimensions.

In the dimension of national security, the report analyzes the scale and efficiency issues of the U.S. defense budget. It points out that despite continuous growth in defense spending, there is still room for improvement in the efficiency of military deployment and equipment procurement. It calls for strengthening defense capabilities through institutional reforms, streamlining the bureaucratic system, and optimizing congressional oversight. Simultaneously, it emphasizes the strategic value of alliance systems and international organizations, proposing that NATO should adjust its theater command structure and that the U.S. needs to enhance its leadership and accountability mechanisms within institutions like the United Nations.

Regarding economic prosperity, the report focuses on the issue of domestic economic inequality in the United States, highlighting how wealth concentration and widening opportunity gaps constrain long-term growth. It advocates for an innovation-centered economic growth strategy, including strengthening global standard-setting authority, reforming the patent system, optimizing immigration policies for high-skilled talent, and implementing dynamic trade policies. It also calls for supporting the development of key sectors through industrial policies to balance market freedom with government regulation.

On the topics of major power competition and the Global South, the report provides a detailed analysis of the strategic contest between China and the U.S. in developing countries. It notes that China is expanding its influence through initiatives like the Belt and Road, trade, and investment cooperation, while the U.S. needs to adjust its policies towards the Global South, shifting from a didactic aid model to a development cooperation model that combines trade and investment. Furthermore, the report explores the interconnected relationship between climate change and energy security, emphasizing the role of commercial nuclear power in emission reduction and energy security, and calls for the U.S. to restart its nuclear power industry and lead in setting relevant international standards.

Ultimately, the report concludes that the United States still possesses the structural advantages to maintain global leadership. However, it must build consensus and improve governance efficacy through domestic reforms, while pragmatically addressing global challenges. On the basis of ensuring its own security and prosperity, the U.S. should promote the construction of an international order that aligns with its values and interests.