The US views Russia and China as threats.

The Pentagon report assesses China as one of the countries posing a threat to U.S. security, citing Beijing's insistence on building artificial islands in the South China Sea.

US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Demsey. Photo: RT

The U.S. Department of Defense released its new National Military Strategy report on July 2. The document warns that America's military competitive advantage is beginning to erode due to an international situation increasingly fraught with conflict elements, including rival nations and extremist violent organizations.

The report specifically names four countries that threaten U.S. national security: Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China.

"None of the aforementioned countries are in direct military conflict with the United States or its allies. However, these countries all raise serious security concerns. The international community is collectively assessing these concerns through joint policies, messaging, and actions," the report states.

The document also lists the challenges posed by these countries. In particular, Russia is accused of "disregarding the sovereignty of its neighbors and being willing to use force to achieve its goals." The US argues that Russian military activity is "undermining regional security."

Iran is considered a state sponsor of terrorism, causing instability in the Middle East and inflicting suffering on countless people, while depriving them of their future prosperity.

North Korea is considered by the US to be a future nuclear missile threat and "has conducted cyberattacks, causing significant damage to American businesses."

Regarding China, the report suggests that China is escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. The US identifies Beijing's claims of sovereignty over most of the South China Sea as "a violation of international law."

The international community has repeatedly called on China to resolve the issue cooperatively; however, Beijing continues its land reclamation in the South China Sea, possibly to deploy military forces in an area with vital international shipping lanes.

Instability

US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Demsey emphasized that since the release of the most recent National Military Strategy in 2011, "global instability has increased dramatically."

"We are simultaneously facing multiple security challenges from states and cross-regional networks of non-state groups, supported by rapid technological innovation. Future conflicts will erupt faster, last longer, and on a technologically challenging front," he said.

The new US report also assesses changes in the form of warfare and new technical concepts. The document also emphasizes that the proliferation of military technology will create difficulties for the US military in maintaining its technological advantage.

According to the document, the U.S. is working to identify, contain, and, if necessary, defeat potential adversaries, while continuing to weaken and dismantle violent extremist organizations around the world.

According to vnexpress