Scowcroft Strategy Scorecard:Grading Trump’s second National Defense StrategyOn January 23, the Pentagon released the 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS), a document that builds on the previously released National Security Strategy. Clear lines of effortDoes the strategy outline several major lines of effort for achieving its objectives? Persistent threats posed by the United States’ adversaries are deemphasized in favor of the larger message on deconfliction and deescalation. Imran BayoumiAssociate director, GeoStrategy Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and SecurityThe National Defense Strategy makes clear the priorities of the Department of Defense. The strategy has four clearly defined goals that build on the priorities set forth in the National Security Strategy.