Foreign Policy Live The “America First” Defense Strategy
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Feb 18, 2026 
Elbridge Colby, U.S. undersecretary of war for policy and architect of recent defense strategies, outlines NATO 3.0 and urges Europe to shoulder conventional defense while the U.S. sustains nuclear deterrence. He explains shifting U.S. focus to the Indo-Pacific, deterrence in the first island chain, and the need for allied burden-sharing and planning for concurrent crises.
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NATO 3.0: Europe Takes Primary Responsibility
- Elbridge Colby says the U.S. backs NATO but wants a “NATO 3.0” where Europe assumes primary responsibility for conventional defense.
- He frames this as sustainable burden-sharing, not abandonment of Article 5.
Refocus Forces Where They Matter Most
- Colby urges refocusing U.S. strategy on where American interests and allied contributions matter most, notably the first island chain.
- He recommends rebuilding lethality, readiness, and defense industrial capacity to deter threats.
America First As Common-Sense Strength
- Colby frames "America First" as a common-sense policy focused on tangible benefits for ordinary Americans.
- He emphasizes strength-based engagement with China rather than ideological confrontation.