While the tonal change in the content of the new NDS compared to its predecessors is undeniable, the substance is far from radical. Although such strategies and similar documents are not prescriptive to administration decisions, they do guide the planning that shapes day-to-day White House policy options and act to signals to allies and parters. In this context, it should be regarded as less of a historical break than some headlines suggest.

Understand Greenland’s security architecture requires first realizing its value – its strategic geography. Forming both the northern end of the Greenland – Iceland – UK (GIUK) Gap, and serving as the northern-most point of the American continent, Greenland has been significant for early-warning and radar-tracking, able to detect threats transiting over the Arctic before reaching Canada and the United States

Operation Southern Spear ultimately reveals a significant and unsettling expansion of US force beyond established limits of international law. By classifying drug trafficking as an armed attack and presenting enforcement measures as acts of self-defence, the Trump administration has eroded the distinction between law enforcement and warfare.

Russia’s Sakhalin-II project has been used to supply around 10% of Japan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG). In contrast to Western states’ extensive sanctions against Russian energy infrastructure projects such as Nord Stream in Europe, the US has very recently extended Sakhalin-II’s import permit, allowing it to continue LNG supplies to Japan.

Space has already been militarized and is actively being weaponized. Multilateral efforts at establishing space-based rules of behavior are faltering. And though so far only non-destructive capabilities have been deployed in space, physical acts are imminent, should geopolitics on Earth continue to degrade.

That the PRC’s propaganda is now pivoting towards deterring China’s partners is no surprise, as the PLA has long recognized the ability to deter or defeat U.S. intervention attempts as central to any military effort to take Taiwan.

The rampant drug trade in Rio de Janeiro is not the result of an absent state authority, but of the way that authority has been selectively enforced. Criminal organizations and militias have not grown despite the state but sustained alongside its corruption.

While the Trump administration’s approach to Taiwan is continuing to coalesce, current signs indicate no dramatic departure from long-standing positions.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan’s newly elected leader Sanae Takaichi was confirmed as Japan’s new Prime Minister on 21st October. Takaichi is also Japan’s first female prime minister in its history.

Despite the CWC offering the same degree of prohibition and protection as the TNPT, BWC and PNTBT, the degree of selective enforcement has allowed states to operate seemingly beyond regulations.