How the US lost Latin America

America’s power and influence are waning in its own backyard while its enemies are steadily gaining ground. And the United States has only itself to blame. Through a series of policy errors, the U.S. is ceding the dominant position in its own hemisphere. As we approach the 200th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine, it’s worth asking if that landmark strategic declaration is a dead letter.

For most of American history, Latin America has arguably been the chief driver of U.S. foreign policy. The last eight decades or so, with a focus on Europe and later the Middle East, can be seen as exceptions to the rule.