Trump Administration Releases New National Security Strategy (NSS)

The Trump administration released its National Security Strategy (NSS) on December 5, outlining an assertive, “America First” vision. The strategy emphasises restoring U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, reshaping global military deployments, and recalibrating great-power competition.

Reassertion of the Monroe Doctrine

Monroe Doctrine Background

The NSS explicitly states that the U.S. will reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine, a foreign-policy principle articulated in 1823 by President James Monroe.
It originally had four key elements:

1. Non-interference by the U.S. in European internal matters.
2. Recognition of existing European colonies in the Western Hemisphere.
3. Closure of the Western Hemisphere to future colonization.
4. Any European attempt to control or oppress nations in the Western Hemisphere would be treated as a hostile act by the U.S.

The “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine

The new NSS adds what it calls a “Trump Corollary”, which shifts the doctrine toward:

• Enlisting friendly regimes in Latin America
• Controlling immigration flows
• Stopping drug trafficking
• Re-establishing U.S. influence through alliances and new partnerships

This corollary frames the Western Hemisphere as a zone requiring urgent security attention, enabling a readjustment of U.S. military presence to meet threats more quickly.

Criticism of the European Union

The document takes an unusually confrontational tone toward the European Union, accusing it of:

• Blocking U.S. efforts to end certain conflicts (not specified in the summary)
• Contributing to strategic instability in Europe
• Failing to counter Russia effectively

The NSS claims that the U.S. must “re-establish strategic stability with Russia”, arguing that doing so would stabilise European economies.

India’s Role in the New U.S. Strategy

The NSS makes several references to India, projecting it as a key partner for:

1. Western Hemisphere Strategy

• The U.S. views India as a potential partner to help “cement positions” in the Western Hemisphere, though the document does not specify the mechanisms.

2. Africa and Critical Minerals

• India is seen as a partner in securing critical mineral supply chains from Africa.

3. Indo-Pacific Security and the Quad

• The NSS emphasises the need to strengthen relations with New Delhi so that India is encouraged to deepen its role in Indo-Pacific security, including through the Quad.