Which of the following is one of the four main defense priorities of the 2022 National Defense Strategy?

• A. Win decisively in all potential theaters.
• B. Defend the homeland.
• C. Dissolve alliance commitments.
• D. Reduce military presence worldwide.

Answer: (B)

Defending the homeland is a foundational priority because the National Defense Strategy centers on protecting U.S. territory, people, and critical infrastructure from threats before they reach the homeland. This emphasis establishes the conditions for credible deterrence and shapes where and how the military invests in readiness, modernization, and resilience. In practice, it means maintaining robust defenses, safeguarding key infrastructure, and ensuring rapid responses to any threat.

The other options conflict with that approach: aiming to win decisively in every theater is an overly broad way to describe victory that doesn’t reflect the strategy’s emphasis on measured deterrence and risk-informed competition; dissolving alliance commitments would weaken collective security and deterrence; reducing military presence runs counter to maintaining credible deterrence and partnerships.