Front Burner A veteran diplomat explains the 'Donroe Doctrine'
20 snips
Jan 13, 2026 
John Feeley, a seasoned U.S. diplomat and former ambassador to Panama, unpacks the complexities of Trump's tumultuous Latin American policy. He reveals that Trump's worldview resembles a mob-like transaction, influenced by advisers prioritizing loyalty. Feeley critiques the focus on force over diplomacy, questions the rationale behind intervening in Venezuela, and highlights rising tensions in Colombia and Mexico. He argues that the strategic maneuvering, like tariffs on Brazil, is driven by personal politics rather than coherent doctrine.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Power Over Doctrine
- John Feeley argues Trump's worldview is shaped by New York builder culture and raw power rather than academic doctrine.
- This produces a personalistic, win-at-all-costs foreign policy lacking moral or historical grounding.
Hemisphere As Sphere Of Influence
- Feeley says Trump views the Americas as a zone where the U.S. must be preeminent and expect vassal states that "pay rent."
- That outlook favors dominance and transactional relationships over partnership and rules.
Rules-Based Order Undermined
- Feeley contrasts past U.S. rules-based engagement with the current administration's rejection of that system.
- He warns the postwar diplomatic architecture provided self-correction and stability that is now being eroded.