The new US security strategy and its consequences for Latin America and Europe

With the National Security Strategy (NSS) of November 2025, the US government is implementing a far-reaching change of course and once again claiming the Western Hemisphere, which encompasses the American continent, as its exclusive sphere of influence. In doing so, it is following on from the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, which did not tolerate any non-American interference in the affairs of the entire continent. The message is unambiguous: ‘non-hemispheric’ powers – primarily China and Russia – should neither possess strategic installations nor be able to establish military or technological capabilities in the region. At the same time, the hemisphere should be so stable and well governed that there is no mass migration to the US, the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime is successful, and the region is politically favourable to Washington. These goals are set out in detail in the original text of the NSS, where they are referred to as the ‘Trump Corollary’ to the Monroe Doctrine, supplemented by the operational motto ‘Enlist and Expand’: involve proven partners and expand new cooperation, both economically and in terms of security policy.