Monroe Doctrine and Connections to Today

The failed rescue of American hostage, Luke Somers, who was held captive by al Qaeda in Yemen is an example when the U.S needed to intervene in a foreign country under the principles of the Monroe Doctrine.  The terrorists threatened the U.S directly by kidnapping Somers, an American photo journalist, and South African teacher Pierre Korkie and threatening to kill them. Under the Monroe Doctrine, this is clearly an unfriendly act against the U.S and Western civilization, which caused us to fight back against the terrorists and try to rescue the hostages.

In a CNN article, Lawmakers Defend Failed Hostage Rescue Mission in Yemen, by Sara Fischer, both Republicans and Democrats agreed that President Obama had to order the mission and it was the right thing to do, even though the kidnappers ended up killing the hostages. Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel said: "Is it imperfect? Yes. Is there risk? Yes. But we start with the fact that we have an American that's being held hostage, and that American's life is in danger." House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Mike Rodgers said: "When you pay ransom, you get more kidnappings. If we're going to be extorted into paying ransom to al Qaeda so that they can rape women and blow up buildings and kill civilians, men, women and children, that's a pretty bad plan to start with. I agreed with the President's decision."

Under the Monroe Doctrine, the U.S doesn't intervene in every conflict. However, when terrorists attack Americans or the U.S directly, the U.S must act upon this and the intervention is within the principles of the Monroe Doctrine. The U.S should fight back against terrorists, even though it may cost lives, just like Luke Somers. Sadly, they were probably going to kill him anyway, but we can't let them take away our will to fight.