Elbridge Colby, the Undersecretary of War for Policy, raised concerns about a return to a 'Cold War mentality' in the U.S. defense strategy during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. He stated that the new National Defense Strategy (NDS) does not neglect U.S. European allies but rather emphasizes the importance of sharing defense responsibilities among NATO members, especially in facing threats posed by Russia and China.

The 2026 NDS outlines a significant shift in U.S. priorities by keeping Washington engaged in European defense while reaffirming its focus on deterring threats to the U.S. homeland, particularly from China. The strategy encourages NATO allies to take on greater responsibility for their own defense, asserting that these allies are 'substantially more powerful than Russia.' This marks a strategic pivot from direct U.S. military involvement to fostering a more self-sufficient European defense posture among NATO nations.

However, there are concerns among some lawmakers, including Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, about the viability of this approach, especially regarding the potential military threats from Russia. Wicker emphasized the need for the U.S. to maintain a significant role in European defense, warning against the consequences of underestimating Russia's capabilities and intentions, which could lead to strategic miscalculations in responding to European security threats.