What strategic shift occurred after the collapse of the USSR during the Global War on Terror?

After the collapse of the USSR, the strategic shift towards a transition away from near-peer adversaries was largely a response to the changing global landscape. The Cold War framework, in which the United States primarily prepared for conflict with a near-peer competitor like the Soviet Union, began to dissolve. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the U.S. faced a different set of challenges, particularly the rise of non-state actors and asymmetric warfare, as exemplified by terrorist groups.

This shift meant that military strategies and resources would be reallocated towards counterterrorism and operations against insurgent groups, focusing on irregular warfare rather than preparing for traditional state-to-state conflicts. The Global War on Terror became a primary focus, which necessitated a different strategic approach that emphasized intelligence, special operations, and coalition-building rather than the acquisition of capabilities meant for conventional confrontations with equally matched nations.

While other options may reflect aspects of military policy or strategy relevant in different contexts, the transition away from a focus on near-peer adversaries accurately captures the fundamental change in strategic priorities that emerged in the post-Cold War era, especially following the events of September 11, 2001.