Introduction

Since its articulation in 1823, the Monroe Doctrine has served as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere. President James Monroe’s declaration warned European powers against further colonization or interference in the Americas, framing the region as a sphere of U.S. influence. Over nearly two centuries, successive administrations have invoked, reinterpreted, or even expanded the Doctrine to justify actions ranging from the Roosevelt Corollary to Cold War interventions in Latin America.

President Donald Trump’s approach to Western Hemisphere policy reflected a modern iteration of this longstanding doctrine, though often refracted through his administration’s nationalist and transactional worldview. His policies touched Continue reading →