The Global Story American influence from Monroe to Donroe
Jan 12, 2026
Anthony Zurcher, the BBC's North America correspondent and co-host of Americast, dives into the historical roots of American foreign policy. He discusses Trump's focus on power over diplomacy, illustrating how this aligns with a Machiavellian shift in US strategy. Zurcher explores the Monroe Doctrine's impact, the lore of Manifest Destiny, and how recent military engagements risk overreach. He also highlights the departure from postwar global order under Trump, signaling a transformation in America's role on the world stage.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Sphere Defined By Interest, Not Map
- The U.S. sphere of influence isn't just geographic; it's defined by what the U.S. chooses to care about and defend.
- Anthony Zurcher suggests the U.S. may claim everything except places it willingly abandons to others.
Power-First Worldview Returns
- The current administration embraces a Machiavellian, power-first foreign policy and rejects post-WWII idealism.
- Zurcher says it will exercise U.S. power unapologetically, even if it upsets allies.
Monroe Doctrine: Bold Claim Before Power
- The Monroe Doctrine declared the Western Hemisphere off-limits to European influence even when the U.S. lacked power to enforce it.
- Anthony Zurcher calls it audacious and prescient, planting a long-term claim before the muscle to back it up existed.