The Daily Signal Victor Davis Hanson: Trump’s Jacksonian Foreign Policy (With a Twist)
Jan 6, 2026
This discussion dives into Trump's unique foreign policy, likening it to Andrew Jackson's approach—friendly yet fierce. Victor introduces the concept of a 'Trump vise,' a method of applying economic pressure on rogue states rather than resorting to military force. The impact on Iran and Venezuela is examined, highlighting how sanctions strategically weaken their economies. There's a focus on Cuba's dependency on Venezuelan oil and how cutting that supply limits its power, all within the framework of reasserting the Monroe Doctrine.
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Jacksonian Foreign Policy With A Twist
- Victor Davis Hanson describes Trump's foreign policy as Jacksonian: neither interventionist nor isolationist.
- He highlights a subset he calls the "vice" policy that squeezes opponents without kinetic force.
Iran Squeeze As A Precedent
- Hanson uses Iran as an example where Trump reimposed sanctions and supported Israeli retaliation while avoiding prolonged nation-building.
- He argues the sanctions nearly bankrupted Iran without direct U.S. military costs.
Venezuela In The Trump Vice
- Hanson details Venezuela under Maduro: narcotics shipments, sanctioned oil sales, and political illegitimacy.
- He describes Trump's approach as reestablishing the Monroe Doctrine and squeezing Maduro via sanctions and maritime interdiction.