Deepdive: The Western Hemisphere

In today’s episode of **What’s going on with BRICS**:**Hemisphere** **Deep Dive****Monroe Doctrine** **Revived**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.### What’s in the News1. **What “hemisphere” means in geopolitics** - Divides world into spheres of influence – Western Hemisphere (Americas) long seen as US domain. - Eastern Hemisphere (Europe/Asia/Africa) contested by powers like Russia/China. - For normies: Like neighborhoods – US says “our block, our rules” for Americas.2. **Historical roots – colonial era to Monroe Doctrine** - 1823: President James Monroe declares Americas off-limits to European colonization/recolonization. - US pledges non-interference in Europe – mutual spheres for stability. - Quote from original: “The American continents... are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.”3. **Evolution – Roosevelt Corollary and interventions** - 1904: Theodore Roosevelt adds “international police power” – US can intervene in Latin America to stabilize. - Justified invasions (e.g., Panama 1903 canal, multiple Caribbean occupations). - Turned doctrine from defensive to offensive – “big stick” diplomacy.4. **Cold War era – countering Soviet influence** - Used to block communism in hemisphere (Cuba Missile Crisis 1962 blockade). - Interventions: Guatemala 1954 coup, Dominican Republic 1965, Grenada 1983. - Rio Treaty (1947) and OAS formalized collective defense against external threats.5. **Post-Cold War – selective use** - Panama 1989 Noriega capture – drug threats as justification. - Critics call it imperialism – US meddles while barring rivals. - Dormant until recent revival.6. **Trump’s 2025 revival – “Trump Corollary”** - 2025 NSS: “Assert and enforce a Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine” – block Russia/China footholds. - Venezuela raid (Jan 3, 2026) as enforcement – Maduro captured, US “runs” transition/oil. - Trump (Jan 3 presser): “All the way back to the Monroe Doctrines... They now call it the Donroe document.”7. **Mike Waltz at UN – defends as law enforcement** - Waltz (Jan 5 UNSC): “This was a law enforcement operation... You can’t turn Venezuela into hub for Iran/Hezbollah/gangs/Cuban agents.” - “Tremendous control/leverage over interim authorities.” - [Throw to footage: UNSC Waltz remarks clip]8. **John Mearsheimer on Judge Napolitano – realist critique** - Mearsheimer (Dec 18, 2025 Judging Freedom): “Administration boxed itself in... overestimates military force in political problems.” - Compares to Yemen failure; Venezuela self-inflicted crisis for face-saving. - [Throw to footage: Mearsheimer/Napolitano clip on Venezuela]9. **Stephen Miller on CNN – power governs world** - Miller (Jan 5 CNN): “We live in a world governed by strength, force, power... iron laws since beginning of time.” - “Superpower conducts as superpower... absurd to allow adversaries resources in our backyard.” - [Throw to footage: Miller/Tapper CNN clip]10. **Marco Rubio on Meet the Press – threefold process** - Rubio (Jan 4 MTP): “Threefold: Stabilize, recover with US companies, transition to Venezuelan people.” - “Tremendous control/leverage over interim authorities.” - [Throw to footage: Rubio/Welker MTP clip]11. **European reactions – muted criticism** - Starmer (Jan 6): “Not involved” – seeks facts, stresses law (no condemnation). - Von der Leyen/EU (Jan 5): “Concern” but avoids illegality. - France objects as sovereignty violation – but no strong measures.12. **Speculation (labeled as such)** - If US pushes “Donroe” further (Cuba/Mexico warnings), risks regional backlash or rival responses. - Europe ditching bases? No confirmation – just chatter. - Hemisphere lines harden into new blocs.13. **Wrap-up perspective – Monroe Doctrine in modern context** - Ties 200-year history to today’s Venezuela raid – from defensive warning to offensive tool. - Shows how old doctrines get revived in multipolar rivalries – US asserts dominance while rivals push back. - Highlights hypocrisy: US demands hemisphere exclusivity but interferes elsewhere. - For normies: Doctrine started as “stay out,” now “we come in if needed.” - [Throw to footage: “The Monroe Doctrine Explained” wrap-up clip –OK team, so what does all this mean? Well, it means hemisphere politics – from Monroe to Trump – is back with a vengeance, exposing great power hypocrisy and risking multipolar clashes.1. If US grabs Venezuela under Monroe, what’s stopping China from claiming Asia as its hemisphere – full steam ahead?2. European leaders silent on US raid but loud on Russia – is “rules-based order” just code for Western privilege?3. 200 years of Monroe – is this the doctrine’s final act, or the spark for a new global spheres war?🌀 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