List of US Presidential Doctrines

This is a list of U.S. Presidential doctrines. American foreign policy is constantly a work in process, and has been shaped over time by the attitudes of many different leaders. The ideology of the president is very important in shaping foreign policy, and throughout the 20th century almost every President of the United States has been cited with his own doctrine that outlined a key goal for the US to pursue in foreign affairs.

• Monroe Doctrine: The Americas should be free from future European colonization and free from European interference in sovereign countries' affairs.
  • [Theodore] Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: That the U.S. has the right to intervene in the affairs of Latin American and particularly Caribbean countries whose indebtedness or institutional disarray might otherwise lead to intervention by European powers.
• Truman Doctrine: If one nation falls to a communist takeover, it will logically follow that its surrounding nations are also at risk for a communist takeover (the domino theory).
• Eisenhower Doctrine: Non-communist governments must receive aid and support from the US, because otherwise they are in danger of falling under Soviet influences.
• Western Hemisphere to prevent a communist threat to any government.
• Nixon Doctrine: When direct US military presence is not possible, the US shall train and assist native rebels in the country of the conflict.
• Carter Doctrine: An attempt by any outside forces to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force.
• Reagan Doctrine: Anti-communist rebels must be supported because they oppose tyranny.
• Clinton Doctrine: The best way to maintain stability in large areas that hold US interests is to combat instability in small areas, before the conflicts can intensify and spread.
• [George W.] Bush Doctrine: When there is evidence suggesting the threat of attack by a nation or terrorist group, the US has the right to a pre-emptive "first strike".

See also: Powell Doctrine, drafted by U.S. Secretary of State and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell