Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran are all typically seen as the largest threats to the U.S., but to what extent the public prioritizes these threats is less clear. The four have the independent means to threaten U.S. interests regionally, if not globally, while greater cooperation across the four creates a unique security challenge to continued U.S. global leadership. Three already have nuclear missiles capable of striking the U.S. while the fourth, Iran, could in the foreseeable future. The four also have engaged in various cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns targeting the United States.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and its implications for the future of NATO, poses a continued challenge as the Trump administration seeks an end to the war. China’s economic and military expansion, and in particular increased drills around Taiwan challenges the balance of power in the region, while the introduction of the AI model DeepSeek poses both cybersecurity and economic threats to the U.S. tech industry. North Korea continues to resist denuclearization, having assembled an estimated 50 nuclear warheads and materials for another 20-40 as of January 2024. Meanwhile, Iran not only maintains a nuclear program, but backs various proxy militias active in the Middle East and beyond.

U.S. media coverage regarding the four varies based on new developments, including the........

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