2025 US National Security Strategy

In today’s episode of **What’s going on with BRICS**: The 2025 US National Security Strategy – America First Reloaded, with a major revival of the Monroe Doctrine.If you’re new to the channel, hey, take a moment, subscribe to the channel, then hit the bell to be alerted about new episodes when they drop.Coming to you today from [location to be filled by owner].### What’s in the News1. **The 2025 NSS drops – a short, sharp America First blueprint** - Released December 4, 2025, this 33-page document is Trump’s second-term foreign policy vision. - Simple idea: Focus on what directly helps America – security, wealth, and power – without carrying the world on US shoulders. - Quote: “To ensure America remains the world’s strongest, richest, most powerful nation.” 2. **The big bombshell: Reviving and updating the Monroe Doctrine** - The original Monroe Doctrine (1823) told European powers: stay out of the Americas – the Western Hemisphere is off-limits for new colonies or interference. - Now, the 2025 NSS brings it back with a modern twist called the “**Trump Corollary**.” - What it means in plain English: The US will actively block rivals like China and Russia from gaining military bases, owning key ports, or building threatening influence anywhere in North, Central, or South America. - Examples of topical hotspots: China’s investments in ports like Chancay in Peru (a potential Belt and Road hub for Pacific trade) or Russia’s ties to Venezuelan bases could face US pushback; the Panama Canal, a vital chokepoint for global shipping (US helped build it in 1904 and handed over in 1999), is flagged for preventing foreign control that could disrupt US commerce. - It also treats mass migration, drug cartels, and foreign control of resources as direct national security threats – think Mexican cartels flooding fentanyl or Chinese firms dominating lithium mines in Argentina’s “Lithium Triangle.” - Why significant? This elevates the Americas to America’s #1 foreign policy priority – a huge shift from decades of focusing on Europe, Middle East, or Asia. - Quote from the doc: “This ‘Trump Corollary’ to the Monroe Doctrine is a common-sense and potent restoration of American power and priorities.” 3. **Who authored and approved it? Key players** - The White House and National Security Council write it; President Trump gives final sign-off – fully executive-driven. - NSC Advisor Tulsi Gabbard shaped the pragmatic, non-interventionist elements. - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth influenced military realignment sections. - Legal and strategy scholars: Likely input from John Yoo (executive authority expert) and Hal Brands (great-power competition thinker), plus Heritage Foundation voices like James Carafano on alliances. 4. **Congress, Pentagon, and private stakeholders’ roles** - Congress/Senate: No vote or edit power – they review in hearings, but real influence comes through approving budgets (NDAA). - Pentagon: Heavy contributor on troop posture and defense priorities. - Private stakeholders: Informal advice from think tanks and industry leaders – shapes economic security parts. 5. **NATO in the NSS – tough love for a “delinquent” alliance** - The doc calls out NATO allies for under-spending and over-relying on US protection – demands they hit higher defense budgets (hints at 5% of GDP, beyond the 2% goal). - What it means for normies: NATO (formed 1949) is the US-led military pact with 31 European partners for collective defense; the NSS says it’s time for Europe to pull its weight or risk US pullback. - Significant because it treats Europe as a secondary priority – the US won’t subsidize allies who don’t step up, potentially shifting troops from NATO bases to the Americas. - Why a big deal? Signals the end of automatic US leadership in Europe, pushing allies to fend more for themselves against threats like Russia. 6. **AUKUS and alliances – strengthened but selective** - The doc reaffirms AUKUS (US-UK-Australia nuclear sub and tech pact) as vital for Indo-Pacific deterrence against China. - But alliances are now transactional: Partners must pay their fair share and align on core US interests – no free rides. 7. **Can the Trump admin leverage this doc? Absolutely – here’s how** - As executive guidance, the administration can immediately use it to direct agencies: State Department negotiates based on its priorities, DoD reallocates resources, and Treasury pushes economic deals. - Leverage examples: Invoke the Trump Corollary to block Chinese port investments in Latin America via sanctions or diplomacy; redirect aid/budgets toward hemisphere security. - Significant for normies: It’s not just words – it justifies quick actions like troop moves or tariffs without needing new laws, giving the admin flexibility in a fast-changing world. 8. **How to lock this in so it survives Trump? Limited options** - The NSS is administration-specific – it doesn’t bind future presidents, who can rewrite it (e.g., Biden’s 2022 version scrapped Trump’s 2017). - Ways to make it enduring: Embed principles in laws (e.g., via NDAA mandates for hemisphere focus) or treaties, but Congress must approve – tough with divided politics. - Build bipartisan support: If midterms strengthen GOP, push legislation; institutionalize via executive orders or agency rules. - Realistic view: Hard to fully lock in – policy shifts with elections, but cultural changes (e.g., public support for America First) could make it stickier. 9. **Post-Trump scenarios** - If JD Vance wins in 2028: Strong continuity – Vance helped craft it as VP, so expect the Monroe revival and America First focus to stick. - If Democrats win in 2028: Likely full rewrite – back to multilateralism, stronger Europe ties, and values-driven foreign policy (like Biden’s 2022 NSS replaced Trump’s 2017 version). 10. **Real power of the document** - It’s executive guidance – steers agencies (State, DoD) on daily priorities and long-term plans. - Not law, but shapes budgets and diplomacy; Congress often aligns funding with its direction. - Significant because it signals to allies and rivals exactly where US focus (and resources) will go. 11. **Troop shifts: Pulling back overseas to focus on Americas?** - Yes – calls for readjusting global bases, moving forces from Europe and Asia toward the Western Hemisphere. - Realistic rollout: Gradual over years (10-20% reduction abroad), keeping key hubs but prioritizing border security, migration, and drug threats. - Why it matters: Avoids overstretch in multipolar conflicts, redirects strength homeward. 12. **BRICS non-Americas view – opportunity or trap?** - The bloc sees it as US retreat: Less American meddling in Asia and Europe opens space for influence (China in Indo-Pacific, Russia in Ukraine). - Not a full free pass – US keeps strong deterrence on core flashpoints like Taiwan. - Overall: Encourages BRICS to push multipolar agenda, but risks miscalculation if US refocuses sharper. - In a multipolar world, the 2025 NSS is a bold, practical reset – reviving the Monroe Doctrine with a Trump Corollary to lock down the Americas, while telling allies to step up. It puts US interests first in a changing world where BRICS gains ground. 🌀 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wgowbrics.substack.com