If you need an expert to discuss the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS)—and now how that aligns with what other countries are saying about it or with the U.S. seizure of an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast—retired Vice Admiral Robert Murrett is available for interviews.

Murrett is currently a professor of practice in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law. He shared his thoughts on the NSS below. If you’d like to schedule an interview with him, reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

Murrett writes: “The new U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) released on Dec. 5 reflects a dramatic shift on several fronts from the substance and tone of previous such documents. The texts’ inherent criticism of our European allies, contrasted with a strong embrace of Middle Eastern nations and outreach to Russia, are but three themes that have resulted in considerable comment and consternation.

“Additionally, the lack of concern and soft language in the NSS regarding China and their impact on our regional allies in the Pacific will likely diminish our ability to influence events in the Far East and balance our global strategic risk. In sum, there will be reverberations for years to come and possible near term security challenges, since the NSS represents such a strong departure from decades of U.S. and allied strategy and foreign policy.”