The Past, Present, and Future of the US and the Western Hemisphere

The Trump administration’s actions and rhetoric toward Venezuela, Cuba, Greenland, and the proclamation of the so-called 'Donroe Doctrine' in recent months have cast doubt over long- standing assumptions about the geopolitics of the Western Hemisphere. In this event, a panel of experts will examine the past, present, and possible futures of power, alliances, and democratic governance across the region. What has US power in the Western Hemisphere meant historically? What does it mean today? Where might it be heading next?

Panellists include: 

Catherine Royle (in person): Diplomat and Principal of Somerville College. Catherine previously spent seven years in Latin America, as British Ambassador to Venezuela, and Deputy Head of Mission in Buenos Aires. Her career also includes postings as Deputy British Ambassador in Kabul and a decade at NATO as Political Adviser to the Commander at Joint Force Command Brunssum.

Jay Sexton (virtual): Rich and Nancy Kinder Chair of Constitutional Democracy, Professor of History at the University of Missouri, and President of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations (SHAFR). Jay is a leading authority on nineteenth-century imperialism and United States foreign policy, and the author of a major study of the Monroe Doctrine.

Laurence Whitehead (in person): Senior Research Fellow in Politics at Nuffield College. Laurence is a scholar of Latin America with particular expertise on Mexico and Cuba. He has published extensively on democratisation, democracy promotion, and illiberalism in the Americas.

Adam Smith (in person): RAI Director and Osborn Professor of US Politics and Political History. Adam Smith is a frequent commentator on US politics in print and broadcast media, and the host of The Last Best Hope? podcast. He will chair and moderate the event.

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This is a joint event organised in partnership with the Latin American Centre (LAC), and the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR).