Gates Sees Terrorism Remaining Enemy No. 1

A soldier in Iraq guards suspected terrorists, a duty becoming the norm. (By Maya Alleruzzo -- Associated Press)

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Gates singles out Iran and North Korea as threatening "international order" and meriting U.S. concern; his strategy also warns about potential threats from China and Russia, and he urges the United States to build "collaborative and cooperative relationships" with them while hedging against their increasing military capabilities. Gates also points to India as an ally he hopes will "assume greater responsibility as a stakeholder in the international system, commensurate with its growing economic, military, and soft power."

The strategy calls on the U.S. military to balance its risk between irregular threats and conventional warfare involving competing armies and Cold War-style standoffs. Gates says the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan exemplify the type of conflict the United States will face in the years ahead.

"U.S. predominance in traditional warfare is not unchallenged, but is sustainable for the medium term given current trends," the document says. "We will continue to focus our investments on building capabilities to address these other challenges, while examining areas where we can assume greater risk."

James Jay Carafano, a military expert at the Heritage Foundation, said he finds it refreshing that the Defense Department acknowledges that China and Russia are potential adversaries, but he said he believes the strategy is too heavy on battling extremism.

"It is overstating the case to say that extremist Islamic ideology is going to define the next 20 or 30 years," he said. "I think that's not helpful because you're sacrificing everything for this one fight. But it's a transition document. Either McCain or Obama could walk in the door and live with that document and do all kinds of things."

Staff researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.