Trump's Donroe Doctrine: Escaping the Quagmire and Redefining Global Power in 2026

 #721

Personal Update:- I am recovering well. Followup with Cardiologist on 12/1. 

As we kick off 2026, the world is witnessing a seismic shift in American foreign policy under President Donald Trump. In my view, Trump is not just navigating the messy legacies left by Bush, Obama, and Biden—he's bulldozing through them with a bold, unapologetic vision. But can he truly escape the quagmires that bogged down his predecessors? My guess is yes, and here's why, based on the early fireworks of his administration. I'll elaborate on the key moves, sprinkle in some counter-narratives for balance, and tie it back to what this means for audiences in India and around the globe. As a die-hard supporter of a strong America (while reserving the right to critique), I'm excited, but let's dive in with eyes wide open.

First, let's talk about the revival of the Monroe Doctrine—a 1823 policy that essentially declared the Western Hemisphere as America's backyard, warning European powers to keep out. Trump has dusted this off and supercharged it into what I'm calling the "Donroe Doctrine," a modern corollary aimed squarely at China and Russia. It's like President John F. Kennedy's Bay of Pigs fiasco in 1961, but with a twist: instead of fumbling against Soviet influence in Cuba, Trump is succeeding in warning off modern adversaries. The swift ousting of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela is a prime example. Without boots on the ground, U.S. forces used advanced jammers to neutralize Russian- and Chinese-supplied anti-aircraft systems, rendering them useless. This wasn't just a tactical win; it was a "shot across the bow" to the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and beyond: mind your own business in America's sphere.

For Indian readers, this has a pointed lesson. India's defense procurements often include Russian gear like S-400 systems. If American tech can so easily jam these, it raises questions about their reliability in a real conflict—say, along the Line of Actual Control with China. Trump’s move signals a return to raw power politics, echoing President Teddy Roosevelt's "big stick" diplomacy from the early 1900s. Roosevelt, FDR's cousin, believed might makes right, and America should police the world. Trump seems to agree, declaring the post-World War II order—forged by FDR, Churchill, and Stalin in 1945—dead and buried. No more endless multilateralism or UN hand-wringing; it's America first, unfiltered.

As someone who cheers for a resurgent U.S., I'm thrilled. Trump's approach mirrors Teddy's bravado and JFK's resolve, damn the torpedoes. He's avoided quagmires so far by relying on brute force and coordinated ops, steering clear of ground invasions in hot spots like Cuba, Iran, Ecuador, Mexico, Colombia, Greenland, or even Canada (though the order might shuffle). Congress, Democrats, the UN, and even the Supreme Court are scrambling to rein him in, but public support is surging. Polls show Americans voted for this restoration of image—tired of perceived weakness under Bush's Iraq debacle, Obama's cautious resets, and Biden's alliances that felt like entanglements. If Trump keeps delivering domestically, he's unstoppable.

Shifting gears to the home front, Trump's internal economic policies are firing on all cylinders, proving that his "America First" mantra isn't just rhetoric—it's delivering tangible wins. Take the cap on credit card interest rates at 10%: this bold move has slashed borrowing costs for millions of families, easing the debt burden that ballooned under previous administrations. No longer are consumers crippled by 20-30% rates; now, it's affordable credit that stimulates spending without the predatory traps. Early data shows consumer confidence spiking, with retail sales up 15% in the first quarter alone. Critics called it government overreach, fearing it would dry up credit markets, but banks have adapted, and lending hasn't slowed—proving Trump's bet on reining in Wall Street greed is paying off.

Then there's "Drill Baby Drill," Trump's aggressive push to unleash domestic energy production. By fast-tracking permits for oil and gas exploration, he's flooded the market with American crude, driving gas prices down to $1.99 / gallon, in many states— ( Yes California always 4$) a throwback to Reagan's boom times. This isn't just about cheap fuel; it's energy independence that insulates the U.S. from OPEC whims and geopolitical shocks. Inflation, once a Biden-era bogeyman, is now tamed at under 2%, with growth projections hitting 5%—unprecedented since the 1980s. For global audiences, including in energy-hungry India, this means stable oil prices worldwide, potentially lowering import costs for nations like ours. Counter-narrative? Environmentalists decry the carbon footprint, warning of climate quagmires ahead, but Trump's team counters with tech investments in cleaner drilling, balancing growth with green nods.

Housing reforms are another homerun: banning corporate investors from snapping up single-family homes has put the market back in the hands of everyday Americans. No more BlackRock or hedge funds outbidding families; prices in key markets like Atlanta and Phoenix have stabilized, with first-time buyer approvals up 25%. This policy tackles the affordability crisis head-on, turning the American Dream from myth to reality. Tied to this is the transgender ban in certain federal programs—framed as focusing resources on core economic priorities rather than divisive social experiments. Whether it's military readiness or sports equity, Trump argues it streamlines spending, saving billions that get redirected to infrastructure and jobs.

On the foreign economic front, Trump's "washing off" Ukraine aid to Europe is a masterstroke in fiscal discipline. By shifting the burden to NATO allies—echoing pre-1910 isolationism under Woodrow Wilson—he's saved U.S. taxpayers over $100 billion annually, with scant respect for European pleas. "Let them handle their backyard," he quips, freeing funds for domestic reinvestment. This Wilsonian disdain for entangling alliances has ruffled feathers in Brussels, but it's bolstered U.S. coffers, funding tax cuts that supercharge growth. Critics warn it weakens global security, potentially emboldening Russia and straining transatlantic trade, but so far, Europe's stepped up, and U.S. exports are booming.

Overall, these internal successes are the glue holding Trump's agenda together. Affordability is rebounding: prices are dropping, inflation is tamed, and gas is hitting $1.99 in spots, reminiscent of Reagan's era. Growth projections are eyeing 5%—unheard of since the Gipper's time. These tailwinds could solidify Republican majorities in midterms, despite the noise from left-wing media like The New York Times and Washington Post, or podcasters echoing their views. Paid protesters? We've seen tragedies, like the Minneapolis incident where a demonstrator lost her life blocking ICE operations. Was it a "useless cause," as some say? Harsh, but it highlights deepening divides. Why do blue states always see Trump's intent as malice—think George Floyd protests turned riots? It's a cultural chasm, but Trump's base argues it's about law and order.

That said, I'm open to counter-narratives, and there are plenty. Critics argue Trump's radical team—unyielding on principles, opposition be damned—has crossed a Rubicon. He's lost hardcore supporters from his first term, like Judge Andrew Napolitano and some podcast allies, who decry the overreach as authoritarian. Globally, this could backfire: alienating BRICS might accelerate de-dollarization or new alliances against the U.S. In India, while we benefit from a strong America countering China, Trump's isolationism might mean less U.S. support in Indo-Pacific flashpoints. Domestically, ignoring institutions risks eroding democracy—echoing warnings from historians about imperial presidencies. And what if quagmires creep in? A misstep in Iran or Mexico could drain resources, spiking inflation again. Even Tucker's America-first crowd might balk if it leads to endless conflicts. Megyn Kelly backs the toughness, but polls show fractures: urban voters fear division, while rural ones celebrate the reset.

Yet, I believe Trump can thread the needle. With eight more years of potential Republican rule (through 2032, and perhaps beyond via successors until 2041), these changes could normalize. Like the old Polish joke: once you're in tough times, you get used to it. People adapt—think how post-9/11 security became routine. For global audiences, this isn't just U.S. drama; it's a template. India, with its own assertive foreign policy under Modi, might draw parallels in standing firm against neighbors. But caution: unilateralism can isolate.

In sum, Trump is off to a bang, escaping the quagmire by rewriting rules. I don't agree with every move—his team’s radicalism worries me—but as a rational America-first advocate, he has my backing. Whether you're in Mysuru or Manhattan, this era demands vigilance: power shifts fast, and today's doctrine could be tomorrow's debate. What do you think—quagmire escaped, or just delayed?

Karthik

11/1/26 1300 Hrs. Bangalore.