Amirali Abolfath – International Affairs Expert
Redefining America’s Global Role and Returning to the Monroe Doctrine
The most fundamental issue observed in the U.S. National Security Strategy document is the emphasis on the “America First” slogan, which has been strongly pursued in recent years. Based on this perspective, past U.S. policies under previous administrations are heavily criticized, and it is emphasized that America has spent resources unnecessarily and without accountability in various regions to ensure the security of other countries. This document believes that America’s focus should be on creating security at home, that America is no longer a promoter of democracy or the world’s police, and that U.S. interests must be taken into account.
The new U.S. strategic document has changed its regional priorities, focusing on the Western Hemisphere and a return to the Monroe Doctrine, rather than on West Asia, China, or Russia. The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. political doctrine announced on December 2, 1823, by then-President James Monroe. This doctrine opposed colonization or intervention by European powers in the newly independent countries of the American continent. Based on this doctrine, the U.S. government decided to refrain from intervening in wars between European powers and their colonies and to consider any act of war or colonial activity in the Americas as a hostile act.
Focus on the Western Hemisphere: New Threats and Reset of Priorities
According to the new strategic document, U.S. security is ensured through a strong presence in the Western Hemisphere—a path aligned with strengthening the “America First” slogan, which Donald Trump also emphasized. By attention to the Western Hemisphere, America means the entire American continent, including countries such as Bolivia, Colombia, Nicaragua, Brazil, Canada, and others.
U.S. sensitivity toward this region has increased in recent years because two major issues—large-scale illegal immigration and drug transit and trafficking—originate from these areas. Therefore, the new document emphasizes that a new order must be established in this region and that these two issues must be controlled. America also does not tolerate the ideologies of conservative countries in the Western Hemisphere; it does not necessarily have a problem with Venezuela alone, but this approach extends to Canada and Brazil as well. Thus, from America’s perspective, the primary internal threat in this region is immigration and drug cartels, while the most significant external threat remains China.
The roles of Iran and Russia as perennial threats to the U.S. have been significantly moderated compared to previous documents, but China is no longer framed as before. In other words, America seeks, on the one hand, to contain China and, on the other hand, to maintain economic interests with China. Regarding Taiwan, America still considers itself committed to its defense, but not with the same intensity as before; in this case, as well, America’s perspective is based on economic interests and benefits.
America’s New Approach Toward West Asia, Iran, Europe, and China
Regarding West Asia, unlike in recent years, the importance of this region for America has significantly decreased politically and security-wise. Firstly, because America is now a producer and exporter of energy, its dependence on Persian Gulf energy has diminished. Secondly, even if war and tensions arise in this region, America will not face a crisis, and it is the Chinese who will suffer losses.
The U.S. National Security Strategy document adopts a less sensitive approach toward Iran, claiming that Iran was a strategic threat to America and the region two or three years ago, but now, following recent attacks by the U.S. and the Israeli regime, Iran has been weakened, and its threatening nature has diminished. From this document’s perspective, the security burden in West Asia has been lifted from America’s shoulders, and it is time for Washington to turn its attention to the Western Hemisphere. Of course, the document sees the establishment and expansion of the Abraham Accords as aligning with U.S. interests in West Asia and as a factor for increasing pressure on Iran.
In this document, “vital” issues are categorized, for which even war is justifiable to protect them. One of the most important of these issues is keeping international waterways open, with specific mention of the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. America’s sensitivity is not only toward Iran but toward any regional or extra-regional power seeking to dominate these waterways. From the document’s perspective, if Iran, China, or Russia attempts to exert influence over the Strait of Hormuz, America would consider it a threat to its vital security.
America’s approach toward Europe in this document is also more stringent than toward other regions—even stricter than toward West Asia. The document presents a hopeful outlook for peace and trade in Asia, but it is very pessimistic regarding Europe. America warns of a “civilizational collapse” in Europe and declares that if Europe cannot ensure its own security, America’s security umbrella will be withdrawn. This stringent approach, which has also faced adverse reactions from Europe, is one of the most prominent parts of the new U.S. strategic document.
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