The Jolene Doctrine

Why It Matters

Labeling the Trump-era approach as the “Jolene Doctrine” forces a critical reassessment of U.S. foreign policy, highlighting the strategic costs of acting solely because power permits.

Key Takeaways

• Trump’s foreign policy likened to “Jolene” song’s entitlement narrative.
• Past administrations had distinct doctrines shaping global engagements.
• “Jolene Doctrine” warns against acting solely because power permits.
• Critics fear U.S. perceived as aggressive, opportunistic world player.
• Atlantic editor urges article to cement “Jolene Doctrine” terminology.

Summary

The video introduces the tongue‑in‑cheek concept of the “Jolene Doctrine,” a label for the Trump administration’s foreign‑policy approach. Drawing on Dolly Parton’s classic plea—“Jolene, please don’t take my man”—the speaker suggests the United States is behaving like a jealous lover, taking actions simply because it can, not because it should.

He contrasts this with the more articulated doctrines of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, noting that each era possessed a guiding framework for dealing with Iran, Venezuela, Nigeria, Greenland and other flashpoints. The “Jolene Doctrine” is presented as a warning that the U.S. is increasingly seen abroad as an opportunistic power that intervenes whenever it feels entitled, rather than when strategic necessity dictates.

Key moments include the speaker’s rhetorical question, “How do you explain the Trump doctrine?” followed by the vivid Dolly Parton reference, and the editor’s self‑imposed deadline: “If in the next 24 hours The Atlantic doesn’t have a piece called the Jolene Doctrine, I will have failed as editor.” These lines crystallize the urgency to name and critique the emerging mindset.

The implication is clear: without a coherent doctrine, America risks alienating allies and inviting backlash. Naming the “Jolene Doctrine” could sharpen public debate, push policymakers toward a more principled strategy, and restore credibility in a world that watches whether the U.S. acts out of restraint or sheer capability.

Original Description

At the New Orleans Book Festival, the retired four-star general Stanley McChrystal tells Jeffrey Goldberg that Trump’s foreign policy reminds him of the Dolly Parton song “Jolene”: “I think we might be in a period where we think what we can do we should do, because we can.”