Great Power Competition from the perspective of the United States of America at the beginning of the third decade of 21st century

Abstract

In the area of security and defense, the turn of the second and third decade of the 21st century has been characterized by intensifying competition of economic and military powers. The United States of America competes with China and the Russian Federation in various fields of the functioning of states and international relations, aimed at shaping the security architecture as well as standards, practices and spheres of influence that will enable them to exercise hegemony over the widest possible area of the globe. As predicted, the ongoing competition over the next few decades will cause tensions not only on the Washington – Beijing and Washington – Moscow lines, but also in Africa, the Arctic, Europe as well as in cyberspace and space. The renewed rivalry between the great powers has officially reoriented the US security and defense priorities towards the need to prepare the country for increasing challenges. The leadership of the US Department of Defense made it a priority to prepare its armed forces for potential confrontation with other powers. This goal was the basis of all the military reforms carried out, the concept of its functioning, the modernization processes of military equipment, as well as the directions of technological research and development efforts of the domestic arms industry. According to all forecasts and analyses, in the long-term perspective these issues will be at the center of deliberations by politicians and expert circles.