Defense and Foreign Policy

The U.S. vs. the Soviet Union Conventional conflicts include: –the Korean Conflict –Vietnam –Afghanistan Nuclear Arms Race Cuban Missile Crisis

Are we safer since 1991? Other "hot spots" include: –Iraq/Iran –North Korea –Balkans (e.g., Bosnia, Serbia, “ethnic cleansing”) Our Challenge

Historical Overview of Foreign Policy Isolationism –Monroe Doctrine – 1823 –Manifest Destiny Louisiana Purchase Acquiring Alaska from Russia Portions of the Southwestern U.S. from Mexico

Historical Overview of Foreign Policy : America emerges as a world leader 1945: United Nations created 1949: North Atlantic Treaty Organization –NATO vs the Warsaw Pact –Beginning of the Cold War

Historical Overview of Foreign Policy Truman Doctrine –U.S. national security requires the U.S. to protect free countries Policy of Containment (Domino Theory) –Provide aid to countries vulnerable to communism –Korea and Vietnam as examples

Historical Overview of Foreign Policy 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis 1970’s – Détente with the Soviet Union & China 1979 – Soviets invade Afghanistan 1979 – Iranian fundamentalists take over the U.S. embassy in Tehran 1980’s Ronald Reagan’s Foreign Policy –“Peace Through Strength” –Assisting “freedom fighters” in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Afghanistan

Historical Overview of Foreign Policy 1989: Soviets lose influence in Eastern Europe –Fall of the Berlin Wall, Reunification of East and West Germany 1989: Democratization movement in China 1991: Fall of the Soviet Union 1991: War with Iraq 1990’s: Rise of Islamic Fundamentalism

The Making of Foreign and Defense Policy President's role –State Department –Defense Department –CIA, NSA, NSC Role of Congress –Ratify Treaties –Appointment and Budgetary Powers –Power to Declare War –Congressional Oversight

The Making of Foreign and Defense Policy Diplomatic Tools –Formal Recognition –Break off diplomatic relations –Foreign aid - including humanitarian aid –Treaties/Executive Agreements –Covert Actions –Trade (e.g., Most Favored Nation Status)