💬 What we are seeing is not the end of globalization, but the emergence of a new geostrategic system of alliances—more connected, not less.
If you missed our panel last week, or want to revisit it in light of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Washington this week –as well as the postponement of the Trump-Xi Summit, the replay of our March 11, 2026 panel is posted above.
Our panel asked a central question: Are we witnessing the emergence of a new Monroe Doctrine, and what are its geographic boundaries? Panelists include Dr. R. Evan Ellis, Dr. Joshua W. Walker, and econVue Senior Editor Eric Huang.
Why This Matters Now
Today, President Trump will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as markets and policymaker reassess global risk. Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force is one of the most capable naval forces in the world, underscoring the strategic weight of the US-Japan alliance.
US actions in Mexico and Venezuela, and the escalating crisis with Iran, could have profound implications for security strategy and trade across Latin America and the Indo-Pacific—including Taiwan.
Key Takeaways
Evan Ellis (Latin America)
“This administration increasingly sees engagement in the Western Hemisphere not as co-development, but as an extension of U.S. homeland security.
Joshua Walker (Japan)
“Japan is our canary in the coal mine—no country needs the U.S. alliance more, but none is watching its limits more closely.
Eric Huang (Taiwan)
“Economic security is no longer a supporting pillar—it is the foundation of U.S. global strategy, and that is where Taiwan becomes indispensable.
Governments across Latin America, Japan, and Taiwan are reassessing assumptions about sovereignty, deterrence, and alliance commitments as the implications of recent events ripple across both the Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific. Recent developments are sending geopolitical shockwaves far beyond the regions directly involved, and China’s leadership is no doubt recalibrating its options after US strikes in Iran.
Are we seeing the early contours of a new Monroe Doctrine in US strategic thinking — one that extends beyond the Western Hemisphere — as Washington navigates a more contested global order?
Introductory remarks by our speakers were recorded, but the Q&A session was off the record.↳ Panelists
R. Evan Ellis
Research Professor of Latin American Studies at the US Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, specializing in China’s role in the Western Hemisphere.
Joshua W. Walker
President & CEO of Japan Society; former Eurasia Group executive and U.S. government official focused on alliances and Indo-Pacific strategy.
Eric Huang
Geopolitical strategist and econVue Senior Editor specializing in US–China–Taiwan relations and strategic technology competition.
It was a pleasure moderating this panel. My thanks to our panelists, and to our audience, who posed excellent questions. Join us next time to be part of the discussion.
–𝓁𝓎𝓇𝒾𝒸 💬
Editor-in-Chief, econVue
📍Chicago
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