Bisram’s pragmatism is rationalised submission — Hemdutt Kumar — Opinion

Replying toIn support of Irfaan’s Pragmatic approach to the Iran warLetter 2 of 2

Bisram’s pragmatism is rationalised submission

Hemdutt Kumar

March 6, 2026·2 min read

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Mar 5, 2026SNKN

In support of Irfaan’s Pragmatic approach to the Iran warVishnu Bisram

Mar 6, 2026KN

Bisram’s pragmatism is rationalised submission

Hemdutt Kumar

Dear Editor,

Vishnu Bisram’s defense of Guyana’s endorsement of Washington’s foreign interventions^[1] is not realism — it is rationalised submission, cloaked in the language of pragmatism. His apologia for President Ali’s compliance with an increasingly unilateral United States is a textbook example of how dependency is often dressed up as strategic foresight. When he describes deference to Trump as “pragmatic,” he confuses the necessity to navigate power with the uncritical acceptance of coercion.

Bisram’s worldview, unbothered by the erosion of global norms, implies that small nations have no moral agency — that Guyana’s only viable course is to “support Trump or face the consequences.” That sentiment betrays a deep misunderstanding of the nature of U.S. power. The instruments of subjugation are not new; they merely evolve with the times. Today they take the form of tariff leverage and trade dependency, visa restrictions masquerading as immigration policy, and extraterritorial sanctions that weaponise the global financial system. Under these pillars of control, compliance is not rewarded; it is managed.

The spectacle of Caribbean leaders summoned to Mar‑a‑Lago under the guise of strategic engagement illustrates this imbalance perfectly.^[2]

For all the pomp, none of them leave any richer — materially or diplomatically. They are fed photographs, not partnerships; proximity, not parity. The invitation is not a seat at the table but a test of obedience. And Trump, a man who once mused about expanding America’s borders to include “loyal” neighbours, reads such eagerness not as alliance but as vulnerability. To him, the willing are weak, and the meek are expendable.

Bisram romanticises this transactional posture as if it were shrewd statecraft, but it is in fact dependency by design. He invokes the Monroe Doctrine, as if our region were bound to live permanently under its shadow.^[3] Yet Guyana’s history tells another story — one of struggle against precisely this kind of paternalistic dominance. To misinterpret submission as survival is to desecrate that legacy. Our forebears did not resist colonial authority only for their descendants to celebrate new forms of tutelage camouflaged in diplomatic niceties.

True pragmatism is not to echo Washington’s every word but to defend Guyana’s interests with discernment, building alliances across multiple poles of global power. We must stop mistaking proximity to power for possession of it. The U.S. does not bestow equality; it negotiates utility. And when that utility expires, so does its indulgence. CARICOM should be confronting this climate collectively, crafting a regional doctrine that protects small states from transactional bullying.^[4] Instead, the region has allowed itself to be fragmented — picked off one by one with invitations and inducements, often trading long‑term autonomy for short‑term comfort. It is a tragic irony that Bisram, himself a product of colonial displacement, has chosen to find security not in self‑assertion but in servitude.

Trump’s foreign policy is not a rupture with American tradition, but its most unvarnished expression — an imperial instinct stripped of pretense. To champion his methods as pragmatic is to mistake the predator’s patience for generosity.

Guyana deserves a foreign policy that matches its dignity, not one that trades it for the illusion of favor. If Bisram’s brand of pragmatism is the price of protection, then our sovereignty has already been sold — not to survive, but to serve.

Yours faithfully,
Hemdutt Kumar

References

In support of Irfaan’s Pragmatic approach to the Iran war ↩
Only Three Caribbean Leaders Invited To Donald Trump ' ... — nationaltoday.com ↩
The Four Principles of the Monroe Doctrine, Explained | HISTORY — www.history.com ↩
Joint Statement - CARICOM — caricom.org ↩

Other references

In support of Irfaan’s Pragmatic approach to the Iran war

Vishnu Bisram

Only Three Caribbean Leaders Invited To Donald Trump ' ...

nationaltoday.com

* Today * Holidays * Animals * Arts & Entertainment * Cause ... * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** **NYC** Today By the People, for the People News Politics * International Relations * City Hall * Civic Engagement * Commentary * Elections * Government * Immigration * Law * Legislative Policy * Political Parties * U.S. Military * Unions * More # Only Three Caribbean Leaders Invited To Donald Trump 'Shield Of The Americas' Summit Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Dominican Republic leaders to attend regional security meeting Published on Mar. 6, 2026 Got story updates? Submit your updates here. › Just three Caribbean leaders - Guyana's President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and the Dominican Republic's Luis Abinader - have been invited to the inaugural 'Shield of the Americas' Summit hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump this weekend in Doral City, Florida. The gathering will bring together leaders from 12 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss coordinated responses on ... The summit highlights the Caribbean region's growing role in hemispheric discussions on migration, security, and organized crime, reinforcing the Monroe Doctrine. Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic were selected to represent the Caribbean, reflecting their strategic importance in regional geopolitics, energy security, and ... organizations, drug trafficking, and illegal migration. U.S. officials say the meeting will 'promote freedom, security, and prosperity in our region.' Ousted U.S. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has been named Special Envoy for the summit, ... * The 'Shield of the Americas' Summit is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026. ## The players ### Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali The President of Guyana, one of the fastest-growing economies in the hemisphere due to its rapidly expanding oil ... ### Kamla Persad-Bissessar The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, a country that continues to play a key role in Caribbean security ... ### Luis Abinader The President of the Dominican Republic, one of the three Caribbean leaders invited to the summit. ... The invitation of only three Caribbean leaders to the 'Shield of the Americas' Summit highlights the region's growing strategic importance in hemispheric discussions on security, migration, and organized crime, as the U.S. seeks to ... ## New York top stories NYC Mayor Celebrates Legal Aid Society's 150th Anniversary, Condemns Anti-Muslim Protest ... ## New York events Mar. 8, 2026 Hamilton Mar. 8, 2026 Hadestown Mar. 8, 2026 The Banksy Museum New York! ... ### Resources * [For

The Four Principles of the Monroe Doctrine, Explained | HISTORY

www.history.com

James Monroe outlined a bold policy in an 1823 speech that has shaped U.S. foreign relations ever since. LKLesley Kennedy ... Bettmann Archive Published: January 20, 2026Last Updated: January 20, 2026 ### Key Summary: President James Monroe outlined what became known as the Monroe Doctrine in a December 1823 speech to Congress. The doctrine’s tenets of nonintervention, noncolonization and separate spheres have evolved into four core principles. These principles, which have shaped U.S. foreign policy for two centuries, later positioned America to become a safeguard of democracy throughout the Western Hemisphere. When President James Monroe delivered his annual ... Virginia. Yet, a few paragraphs of that speech offered a clear, central warning: The independence of the Americas from European powers was a priority for the United States. Later, in the mid-19th century, politicians dubbed this portion of Monroe’s 1823 message the “ Monroe Doctrine,” and its influence has been long-lasting. ... Follow the presidency of James Monroe, from the birth of the Monroe Doctrine to the controversy that marred his terms ... “Over the last 200 years, administrations of all stripes have used the Monroe Doctrine as a way to frame their foreign policy, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, but globally as well,” says Stam, who also serves as a faculty senior fellow at UVA’s Miller Center. According to the U.S. State Department, the doctrine includes three tenets: nonintervention, noncolonization and separate spheres. These tenets can be broken down into four core principles. ## What are the four principles of the Monroe Doctrine? The four principles of the Monroe Doctrine are: A U.S. commitment to stay out of European conflicts An American pledge to not disturb existing European colonies in the Western Hemisphere A ban on new colonization in the Americas A warning that European interference in the Americas would threaten U.S. security Against a backdrop of European tumult ... Beyond that, it underscored the ideological differences on each side of the Atlantic. The Americas embraced democratic ... From the doctrine: “Our policy in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early stage of the wars which have so long agitated that quarter of the globe, nevertheless remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal concerns ... Monroe said the U.S. would not interfere with “the existing colonies or dependencies” of European nations. This encompassed Britain’s control of Canada and several Caribbean territories, at the time. Even if the U.S. had wanted that to change, its small Navy was not capable of challenging America’s former colonizer. “Great Britain still has the world’s strongest navy,” Stam says, explaining the strategy as, “We’re going to let Britain be Britain, but we’re not ... ## 4. A warning that European interference would threaten US security Monroe warned that the U.S. would see efforts by European powers to oppress or control independent republics in the Western Hemisphere as “dangerous to our peace and safety.” Over time, presidents have stretched this idea into an enforcement clause. The Monroe Doctrine, Stam says, has become “a Rorschach for presidencies,” invoked to justify everything from resisting Soviet missiles in Cuba to broader U.S. influence in the Caribbean and Latin America. From the doctrine: “We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of ... ### 5 Times the US Invoked the Monroe Doctrine The 1823 doctrine has been used to justify several interventions in Latin America. The 1823 doctrine has been used to justify several interventions in Latin America. By: Dave Roos ... ## Citation Information Article TitleWhat Are the Four Principles of the Monroe Doctrine? ... URL

Joint Statement - CARICOM

caricom.org · 2026-02-27

nk>NewsNews and MediaNewslettersStatements and DeclarationsTrending # Joint Statement February 27, 2026 1,808 1 minute read Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Tumblr Pinterest Reddit Skype WhatsApp Share via Email Print The Heads of State and Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community met on 25 February with the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Marco Rubio. The engagement was a highly constructive one with a frank conversation regarding the essential interests of all parties. Given the strong historical, diplomatic, familial and economic ties and cooperation over the years in matters of security, there was a clear platform for all to continue to work together to build a stronger, safer, more secure and prosperous Caribbean and United States of America; in other words, a stronger, safer, more secure and prosperous neighbourhood. It was agreed that it was appropriate to conclude a Cooperation Framework appropriate to the 21st century to support the needs and interests of the Caribbean Community and the USA. This framework should address a structured Migration Programme, security cooperation, trade and investment, disaster recovery, human development and technical assistance. It was recognised that the last serious and coherent engagement between members of the Caribbean Community and the USA was almost 50 years ago under President Reagan. The matter of the challenging situation in Cuba was also discussed. All parties recognised that there should be efforts to address the growing humanitarian crisis. The Caribbean Community, cognisant of its very close relationship with both Cuba and the USA, and mindful of the extent to which the Region can be negatively affected, is willing to participate in any way that will redound to the benefit of the Cuban people, while maintaining regional stability. Tags 50 HGC 50 HGC 50HGC 50HGC [50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads ... #### News Letter ### Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates! Enter your Email address ### Related [![Photo of Key Outcomes and Agreements | Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government | ... Photo of CARICOM to provide humanitarian support to Cuba, Prime Minister Terrance Drew says ### CARICOM to provide humanitarian support to Cuba, Prime Minister Terrance Drew says February 27, 2026 Photo of CARICOM Heads endorse Community Industrial Policy Strategy and Framework ### CARICOM Heads endorse Community Industrial Policy Strategy and Framework February 27, 2026 Check Also Close * 50 HGCPhoto of CARICOM Leaders Strengthen Reparations Agenda ### CARICOM Leaders Strengthen Reparations Agenda February 27, 2026 ... Search for