S2E52: US in decline; Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' is worrying Asia

Dec 4, 2025

22:31

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Episode notes

Our guest expert explains the Americas-focused doctrine, inspired by the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine’s hemispheric stance.

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Ravi speaks with Don McLain Gill, the eminent Filipino geopolitical expert and strategist, on declining US influence in Asia and the ‘Donroe’ Doctrine.

They discuss the doctrine’s precursor, the Monroe Doctrine, and how key American allies in Asia are reacting to talk of the Donroe Doctrine.

Ravi and Gill also discuss the potential of a ‘G-2', or Group of Two, which would include just the US and China. This, too, is a concept that many Asian nations with their own view of their place in the world, actively resist.

Highlights: (Click/Tap Above)

1:24 What is the Donroe Doctrine?

4:47 Implications for Philippines

7:30 Reactions of allies Japan, South Korea, Australia, and quasi-ally India

13:10 ‘G2’ & the Donroe Doctrine: Clear concerns

16:11 A misguided strategy? US-China gap narrowing

19:47 Quad, Squad and increasing mini-laterals minus US

Host: Ravi Velloor (velloor@sph.com.sg)

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis