American democracy is at a dangerous inflection point. The moment requires a step-change in strategy and support. Without such momentum, the nation risks falling behind in the global arena. President Obama's national security strategy, created in 2010, aimed to address these challenges by laying out a strategic approach for advancing American interests. It focused on the security of the American people while working to grow the US economy.
Whether they expressed optimistic or pessimistic views about the “new normal” in 2025, these respondents also weighed in with their worries about the effectiveness of the national security strategy. Some questioned whether the measures implemented were enough to truly protect the nation from emerging threats. Others highlighted the need for continued vigilance and adaptability in the face of evolving security challenges.
The Trump administration has promised vast changes to U.S. science and environmental policy—and we're tracking them here as they happen. This shift in policy priorities raises concerns about the future of national security strategies put in place by previous administrations, including President Obama's. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the nation's ability to address security threats and advance American interests on the global stage.