The US military will prioritise protecting the homeland and deterring China while providing “more limited” support to allies in Europe and elsewhere, a Pentagon strategy document released on Friday said. The 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) marks a significant departure from past Pentagon policy, both in its emphasis on allies taking on increased burdens with less backing from Washington, and its softer tone on traditional foes China and Russia. “As US forces focus on homeland defence and the Indo-Pacific, our allies and partners elsewhere will take primary responsibility for their own defence with critical but more limited support from American forces,” the strategy said. Read moreTrump covets Greenland, insults allies and talks up US economy at Davos The previous NDS – released under President Donald Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden – described China as Washington’s most consequential challenge and said that Russia posed an “acute threat.” The new document however urges “respectful relations” with Beijing – while making no mention of US ally Taiwan, which China claims as its territory – and describing the threat from Russia as a “persistent …