Retired US Army General Stanley McChrystal delivered a striking critique of Donald Trump's foreign policy during a fireside chat at Tulane University's New Orleans book festival on 12 March 2026. In a session hosted by Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, McChrystal invoked Dolly Parton's classic 1973 song 'Jolene' to characterise what he termed the 'Jolene doctrine' of the Trump administration.
The 'We Should Do Because We Can' Philosophy
McChrystal expressed deep concern about the current administration's approach to international relations, stating: "I think we might be in a period where we think what we can do, we should do because we can. And I think the world is starting to view us that way." He drew a direct parallel to the lyrics of Parton's Grammy-nominated hit, where the protagonist pleads, "Jolene, please don't take my man; don't take him just because you can."
Recent Military Actions Under Scrutiny
The discussion focused particularly on military strikes ordered by President Trump since Christmas, including operations in Nigeria, Venezuela, and Iran. Goldberg pressed McChrystal on these actions, which have raised significant questions about their strategic objectives and consequences.
The Christmas strikes in north-west Nigeria targeted what the administration described as Islamic State fighters, though ambiguity remains about the specific group affected and the operation's overall impact. On 3 January, US forces attacked Venezuela and captured its ruler Nicolás Maduro, who faces multiple charges from Trump's justice department. Most dramatically, a joint US-Israel operation on 28 February killed Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Mixed Signals and Global Confusion
McChrystal highlighted how the ensuing conflict with Iran has been marked by confusing signals about what constitutes victory, leaving allies, adversaries, and the American public uncertain about administration objectives. The president has faced particular criticism for attempting to deflect responsibility for the bombing of a girls' school in southern Iran that killed at least 175 people, predominantly children.
Adding to international tensions, Trump renewed threats to seize Greenland through military action if necessary, though he later walked back these statements. This episode was widely seen as straining US relations with NATO allies at a critical time.
A Distinguished Military Career
McChrystal's commentary carries significant weight given his distinguished military background. Graduating from West Point in 1976, he spent his entire career in the US Army, serving as a special forces officer credited with key roles in capturing Saddam Hussein in 2003 and eliminating al-Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in 2006.
From June 2009, he commanded US and NATO forces in Afghanistan for over a year during Barack Obama's presidency before resigning after making disparaging remarks about civilian leadership to a Rolling Stone journalist. His successor, General David Petraeus, later resigned as CIA director over an extramarital affair.
Academic and Official Responses
The Atlantic reported that a White House spokesperson responded to McChrystal's comments by asserting that President Trump had restored America's position as "leader of the free world." Meanwhile, University of Missouri historian Jay Sexton offered academic perspective, stating: "I think the Trump team is acting like an unbridled Jolene – they're doing things because they can. But the bummer is to carry the metaphor: Jolene is likely to regret doing what she thinks she can."
The Importance of Alliances
When Goldberg raised concerns about Trump's continued fixation with Greenland, McChrystal emphasised the fundamental importance of international alliances. "I'm a great believer in allies," he declared. "To me, that's the sacred kind of relationships that are essential for any nation. We'll never be powerful enough to go it alone."
This warning about unilateral action forms the core of McChrystal's critique – that the 'Jolene doctrine' approach risks undermining the very partnerships that have historically underpinned American global leadership and security.
