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These are the biggest threats to the US and its interests

David ChoiAug 9, 2016, 21:09 IST

U.S. military personnel take part in Georgia's Independence Day celebration in Tbilisi, Georgia, May 26, 2015. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

Due to the US's position as a global power, the nation frequently has to deal with global threats.

In an effort to identify these challenges, The Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy think tank, has compiled and updated what they believe to be the most pressing issues for US interests.

For this report, The Heritage Foundation focused on three fundamental concerns: homeland defense, the successful conclusion of a regional wars, and the preservation of freedom to move between common areas of air, sea, and outer space in order to conduct business.

The Heritage Foundation also distinguishes between two measurements to assess a rival's threat level: the actor's observed intent and the physical ability of the actor to accomplish its objective.

Here's what The Heritage Foundation believes to be the greatest threats to vital US interests in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East: