china is the # 1 threat to the us
Specifically the Chinese Communist Party
Described by U.S. defense leaders as the primary long-term threat, China is uniquely positioned with both the capability and intent to reshape global norms across military, economic, technological, and political spheres.
China’s arsenal of advanced weapons includes an estimate 600 nuclear warheads. They are very rapidly expanding their navy, with a fleet of over 370 battleships and submarines.
The Chinese Communist Party is a major cyber and espionage threat with sustained cyber campaigns targeting critical networks, media, power grids and global technological and defense systems.
Further, China, specifically the CCP has tremendous influence over many aspects of the US economy. (See the film: “Intelligence Reveal-The Truth Behind the Chaos”)
# 2 threat-Russia
Russia remains imminently dangerous because of its willingness to employ force and nuclear coercion. President Vladimir Putin is very unpredictable and certainly not trustworthy in any respect.
Russia’s war with Ukraine is a big problem on the national stage that will affect the US whether it resolves in a cease-fire and end of war or not. Their nuclear arsenal continues to pose grave risks to the US and around the world.
Russia’s proximity to the US and Alaska permit potential air and naval incursions near U.S. territory. The collaboration between Russia and China needs to be watched closely.
# 3 threat-iran
Though regionally focused, Iran’s expanding missile and drone capabilities now pose a growing threat to U.S. and allied interests.
Through its proxies, Iran is backing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and supplying advanced weapons to regional actors including Hamas in the Gaza strip. The Palestinian war with Israel has a profound effect on not only Israel, but the US as well.
Iran presents a high level of uncertainty as they maintain ambiguous nuclear developments while enhancing their enrichment efforts of weapons-grade uranium. All of this without any verification agreement with the US.
# 4 threat- north korea
While smaller in conventional power, North Korea remains unpredictable with a growing arsenal of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.
Its trajectory represents significant risk to both regional allies and the U.S., especially as conflicts could rapidly escalate across multiple domains. There is a reason that President Trump calls Kim Jong Un, “rocket man”!
# 5. high-level view of existential threats to americans
Cyber threats
Transnational Criminal Organizations
Terrorist Groups
Cyber threats and asymmetric tactics: State and criminal actors (e.g., cyber extortionists) targeting U.S. networks and infrastructure.
Terrorist Groups
Transnational Criminal Organizations
Terrorist Groups
Hamas, Al-Qaeda, ISIS and their affiliates may exploit instability domestically or abroad.
Transnational Criminal Organizations
Transnational Criminal Organizations
Transnational Criminal Organizations
Human and drug trafficking and border threats undermine security and sovereignty and create huge risk that we need to thwart.
Homegrown Violent Extremists (HVEs)
Domestic Extremist Movements (Non-Islamist)
Transnational Criminal Organizations
Homegrown Violent Extremists (HVEs)
Why they’re considered the most immediate risk:
HVEs are individuals radicalized within the US, often without direct orders from foreign groups, but inspired by extremist ideologies. Their ability to mobilize rapidly, use encrypted communications, and operate without formally established networks makes them extremely difficult to detect.
According to the FBI, HVEs currently constitute "the greatest, most immediate international terrorism threat to the homeland".
Note: Since 9/11, 45 of the 49 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil have involved HVEs inspired or enabled by foreign terrorist organizations
Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)
Domestic Extremist Movements (Non-Islamist)
Domestic Extremist Movements (Non-Islamist)
Several of the following foreign groups remain capable of launching attacks against the US:
Islamic State (ISIS) and its affiliates—including ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) —continue to issue English-language propaganda encouraging lone-actor and coordinated attacks.
Al-Qa‘ida and its affiliates, maintain intent to conduct or inspire violence and attacks on US soil.
Iran-aligned groups and state actors, specifically Hezbollah remains a well-organized and financed militant group with global reach, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S.
Domestic Extremist Movements (Non-Islamist)
Domestic Extremist Movements (Non-Islamist)
Domestic Extremist Movements (Non-Islamist)
Domestically, non-Islamist extremist movements—especially racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists (REMVEs)—continue to pose a significant threat:
White supremacist extremists have been identified by DHS as the top domestic terrorism threat, on par with ISIS-level danger.
What is the state of our military?
The United States of America has the largest military budget in the world.
The US military funding is over $800 billion annually — funding the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, intelligence agencies, and defense-related R&D.
The US strategy is based on deterrence, global presence, rapid deployment, and alliances (NATO, Indo-Pacific partnerships). The current administration prefers a “Peace through Strength” approach as a top priority.
America’s defense posture isn’t just about protecting US soil; it’s intent is also about maintaining influence and securing trade routes, energy, and alliances abroad.
The US has around 750–800 military bases in more than 80 countries — the next largest is Russia with fewer than 20.
While officially justified as protecting allies and deterring threats, this network also ensures US access to global shipping lanes, resources, and influence.
Many deployments are not purely defensive; they’re forward positions so the US can strike or respond quickly anywhere in the world.
The Budget Is Enormous — and Growing. FY2025 defense spending is about $849.8 billion (not counting intelligence agencies, nuclear weapons under the Department of Energy, and veterans’ benefits — which would push the real figure over $1 trillion). The projected defense budget for 2026 is over 1 trillion, a planned increase of 13% over 2025.
how did we get here; and where are we going?
US National Defense can change dramatically depending on Presidential Leadership, or the lack of it!
national defense-by presidency
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
(2009–2017)
WEAKENED NATIONAL SECURITY
- Reduced Naval Power: Under Obama, the U.S. Navy fleet was shrunk to its smallest size since World War I. About 271 deployable battle-force ships by 2015, compared to nearly 600 in the Reagan era.
- Defense Spending Cuts: Sequestration (2011 Budget Control Act) slashed defense funding by nearly $500 bill
(2009–2017)
WEAKENED NATIONAL SECURITY
- Reduced Naval Power: Under Obama, the U.S. Navy fleet was shrunk to its smallest size since World War I. About 271 deployable battle-force ships by 2015, compared to nearly 600 in the Reagan era.
- Defense Spending Cuts: Sequestration (2011 Budget Control Act) slashed defense funding by nearly $500 billion over 10 years, forcing delays in aircraft, shipbuilding, and troop readiness.
- Rapid withdrawal from Iraq, paved the way for ISIS to flourish.
- The Iran nuclear deal released billions of USD to a hostile regime.
- Failure to enforce the “red line” in Syria damaged U.S. credibility.
“If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8, KJV)
Joe Biden
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
(2021–2025)
WEAKENED NATIONAL SECURITY
- Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal (2021): The U.S. left behind an estimated $7–8 billion worth of military equipment, including helicopters, armored vehicles, drones, and small arms, much of it now in Taliban hands. (78 aircraft, 12,000 + vehicles + 300,000 small arms and munitions.)
- The withdrawal cost th
(2021–2025)
WEAKENED NATIONAL SECURITY
- Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal (2021): The U.S. left behind an estimated $7–8 billion worth of military equipment, including helicopters, armored vehicles, drones, and small arms, much of it now in Taliban hands. (78 aircraft, 12,000 + vehicles + 300,000 small arms and munitions.)
- The withdrawal cost thousands of Afghan allies their lives, and 13 U.S. servicemembers were killed in a suicide bombing at Kabul airport. The long-term cost was credibility: allies questioned American resolve, while adversaries like China and Russia saw weakness.
- Border Security Breakdown: Record levels of illegal crossings (in excess of 11 million), created vulnerabilities for cartels, fentanyl trafficking, and possible terrorist infiltration.
- Drained U.S. Strategic Fuel Reserves: To combat high gas prices, Biden released more than 260 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) between 2021 and 2023 — reducing it to its lowest level since the 1980s. While this offered temporary relief at the pump, it left the U.S. vulnerable in case of war or global supply shocks. Refilling the reserve will cost taxpayers billions at higher market prices.
- Cultural debates within the military overshadowed recruitment and readiness.
- Early hesitation to treat China as a strategic adversary.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6, KJV)
Donald Trump
Barack Obama
Donald Trump
(2017–2021, 2025–present)
STRENGTHENED NATIONAL SECURITY
(First and Second Terms)
- Rebuilt U.S. military funding after years of cuts.
- Eliminated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
- Brokered the Abraham Accords, reshaping Middle East alliances.
- Pressured NATO allies to increase their defense spending.
- Took a strong stance on China’s IP theft and eco
(2017–2021, 2025–present)
STRENGTHENED NATIONAL SECURITY
(First and Second Terms)
- Rebuilt U.S. military funding after years of cuts.
- Eliminated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
- Brokered the Abraham Accords, reshaping Middle East alliances.
- Pressured NATO allies to increase their defense spending.
- Took a strong stance on China’s IP theft and economic aggression.
- Increased defense budgets by $100+ billion.
- Aggressively prioritized border security — deploying troops, expanding wall construction, and limiting unlawful crossings
- Resumed pressure on Iran, signaling that appeasement is over.
- Pushed for a stronger defense industrial base and rapid expansion of cyber capabilities.
- Announced new space-defense initiatives, recognizing the future battlefield above earth.
- Reasserted an unapologetic vision of “America First” defense policy, with a willingness to act decisively.
Trump’s model is “peace through strength”.
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” (Proverbs 27:12, KJV)
the decade of decisions that matter
National Security Strategy
According to Trump’s President's National Security Strategy, which determines the direction of the Department of Defense, we are in what the President Trump has called the "decisive decade." The NDS outlines the Department's defense and security priorities:
- Defending the homeland, paced to the growing, multi-domain challenge posed by the People's Republic of China (PRC);
- Deterring strategic attacks against the United States, our allies, and our partners;
- Meeting the acute threat of a newly aggressive Russia;
- Tackling the dangers from Iran, North Korea, global terrorist groups, and more;
- Building a resilient joint force and defense ecosystem.
faith, FREEDOM, and security
A Christian, Conservative Perspective on U.S. National Defense
National defense is not just a matter of politics or policy — it is a matter of stewardship, and one of the most essential duties of our government.
Scripture reminds us in Romans 13 that governing authorities are established to protect the innocent and oppose evil. (Romans 13:3, KJV).
From a Christian, conservative perspective, safeguarding our people and our freedoms is a moral responsibility given by God. It is about ensuring that American families can live freely, worship without fear, and pass on a nation secure in both liberty and virtue.
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2, KJV)