What global challenge is characterized by the rise of near-peer competitors and potential competition with China and Russia?

• A. Insurgent Warfare
• B. Irregular Warfare
• C. Strategic Deception
• D. Great Power Competition

Answer: (D)

Great Power Competition describes the global challenge driven by rising near-peer rivals, especially China and Russia, that contest U.S. influence across multiple domains—military, economic, technological, and diplomatic. It emphasizes state-on-state rivalry where competitors seek parity or superiority in areas like maritime control, air and cyber power, space, and advanced technologies, and it often involves alliance-building and long-term strategic competition rather than only local counterinsurgency efforts. Insurgent warfare and irregular warfare focus on non-state actors and unconventional tactics, not the broad state-to-state competition at this scale. Strategic deception is a tactic used within various operations, not the overarching global challenge itself.