Q1. The Monroe Doctrine, written chiefly by John Quincy Adams and first articulated in 1823 by his predecessor in the White House James Monroe, holds that any intervention in the political affairs of the Americas by a foreign power is a potentially hostile act against the US.

Monroe asserted that the New World and the Old World were separate spheres of influence, and thus further efforts by European powers to control or influence sovereign states in the region would be viewed as a threat to US security. In turn, the US would recognize and not interfere with existing European colonies nor meddle in the internal affairs of European countries.

At the time, the US lacked a credible military, and the doctrine was largely disregarded by foreign powers. By the early 20th century the US was able to enforce the doctrine and it was invoked by Presidents Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, JFK, and Ronald Reagan.

Which aspects of the Monroe Doctrine should the US observe today?

Q2. On Saturday, the US extracted Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from that country in a military and intelligence operation that suffered no US casualties.

In his 13 years in power, Maduro presided over an economy that shrank 80% and the emigration of 20% of the population. His regime is alleged to have been corrupt, trafficking in narcotics and keeping resource riches for themselves, while in league with countries deemed hostile to the US in China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba.

President Trump, who described his foreign policy as "The Monroe Doctrine on steroids," said the operation was one of law enforcement, to bring Maduro to the US to face drug charges stemming from a 2020 indictment. Trump also said the US would "run Venezuela until we can do a safe and proper transition" to a new regime, and would bring in US oil companies to rebuild Venezuela's dilapidated energy sector to make use of the reputed oil reserves in that country. He said removing Maduro would help the economies of Venezuela and the US while also improving US national security.

Opponents said that while Maduro was indisputably bad, President Trump did not have authority under the Constitution to unilaterally conduct an act of war, and that it's not clear that the US intervention will solve more problems than it causes.

Your view?

Q3. In post-incursion interviews, President Trump said "something's going to have to be done with Mexico. The cartels are running Mexico. We've asked (Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum) "Would you like us to take out the cartels, and she says 'no,' so we have to do something."

He said of Colombia's President Gustavo Petro "He has cocaine mills and factories. He won't be doing it for very long."

He said of Greenland "We need it from a standpoint of national security," and of Iran "If they are going to start killing protesters like they have in the past, I think they are going to get hit very hard by the US."

On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said "I’m not going to talk to you about what our future steps are, but I don’t think it’s any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime, who, by the way, are the ones that were propping up Maduro."

Which of these would you approve a US action similar to the one in Venezuela? (check all that apply)