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America First: A Strategt to Shape the World

America First: A Strategt to Shape the World

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 This week we turn our attention to one of the most important policy documents of recent years, the U.S. 2025 National Security Strategy, released earlier this month. As the USA approaches its 250th birthday, we unpack the MAGA worldview and its profound implications both for the US and the world, having influence in a wide range of areas, including the most pressing concerns of our times. The Strategy's America‑First, hemispheric focus, and the policy shifts on migration, trade, defence, and climate that have unsettled allies and highlighted what may really be in the minds of not only the power in the White House regarding geopolitics and the world order, but other major powers too. The likely global impacts are profound. As always, we look where our prayers and intentions may be most needed. Note: we do take an editorial approach for this episode, being ready to offer our own takes (though we keep these brief). Intentions and prayers begin at 31 minutes 15 seconds. Suggested Intention Focus for this week This week, as we digest the profound implications of the USA’s newly published National Security Strategy, we suggest holding as our main intention: We will that, whatever the US believes about the importance of national sovereignty, its leadership, ambassadors and policy makers will be moved to value cooperation with, and remain open to proposals made by, international partners in those areas that require global agreement, including the ever-pressing issues relating to migration, combating crime and climate change. Please join us in holding this. Note: The Monroe Doctrine is a longstanding key pillar of U.S. foreign policy, first declared by President James Monroe in 1823 to warn European powers against further colonization or interference in the newly independent nations of the Western Hemisphere. It essentially declares the Americas as being a U.S. sphere of influence and pledges U.S. non-interference in European affairs. The policy evolved to justify U.S. intervention in Latin America with the so-called ‘Roosevelt Corollary,’ asserting U.S. leadership and opposing foreign dominance in the region. Read or download the Strategy document: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf Chapter markers: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:26 Understanding the National Security Strategy 00:05:37 Key Points of the Strategy 00:13:49 Regional Focus and Priorities 00:15:39 Reactions to the Strategy 00:19:19 Implications for the U.S. and Allies 00:23:14 Concerns and Economic Considerations 00:24:07 Europe’s Response 00:25:27 Reflections on the Strategy 00:31:15 Prayers and Intentions Sources referenced in this episode: https://tnsr.org/2023/09/understanding-national-security-strategies-through-time/ https://history.defense.gov/Historical-Sources/National-Security-Strategy/ https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/monroe https://www.bhfs.com/insight/white-house-releases-2025-national-security-strategy/ https://www.brookings.edu/articles/breaking-down-trumps-2025-national-security-strategy/ https://securitybriefing.com/news/u.s.-national-security-strategy-2025-sparks-global-reaction-as-policy-shifts-emerge https://www.cfr.org/article/new-us-national-security-strategy-prioritizes-western-hemisphere https://www.workingimmigrants.com/2025/12/7936/ https://nationalsecuritynews.com/2025/08/us-outlines-spending-plan-for-the-175bn-golden-dome-missile-defence-system/ https://www.executivegov.com/articles/national-security-strategy-china-golden-dome https://diplomacy.berlin/beyond-atlas-a-critical-analysis-of-the-2025-u-s-national-security-strategy/ https://odessa-journal.com/trump-administration-unveils-national-security-strategy-prioritizing-end-to-russias-war-in-ukraine https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/national-security-strategy-nss-trump-russia-china-nato-20251210.html https://www.eurasiantimes.com/japan-or-south-korea-trumps-national-security-strategy/ https://keia.org/the-peninsula/a-national-security-strategy-of-retreat-leaves-asia-to-manage-the-consequences/ https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/10/new-national-security-strategy-could-redefine-homeland-defense-experts/409024/ https://www.cato.org/blog/immigration-national-security-strategy https://www.dw.com/en/donald-trump-us-security-strategy-paper-calls-for-europe-to-correct-trajectory-sparking-alarm-in-eu/a-75078193 https://en.rua.gr/2025/12/06/trump-changes-course-how-the-us-national-security-doctrine-affects-the-war-in-ukraine/ https://www.newsweek.com/...
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