The Cold War and U.S Diplomacy - Research Paper Example

The Cold War and U.S Diplomacy Abstract The paper analyses President Carter’s doctrine during the Cold War. The events that led to the change of approach the US adopted towards curtailment of communism. The formation of Carter’s doctrine is discussed in detail. Carter’s response and application of his doctrine in the form of actions he took to support his claims are discussed in detail. The paper also assesses the effects of his diplomatic efforts on US and other countries as well. Keywords: Cold War, USSR invasion, Carter doctrine Introduction At the end of World War II, USSR and US were the two superpowers. The Soviet Union created the Eastern Bloc which comprised of the eastern European countries. The US aided the western European countries for post war recovery and later formed NATO to contain communism. The two powers never had direct military action, but the period contained sets of high tension crisis and race for supremacy. Different doctrines were followed over time to contain spread of communism. The 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to worst patch of relationship between the two. Strait of Hormuz forms a bottleneck at the Persian Gulf, therefore, a strategic position to control the oil flow from the region (Rodrigue, 2004). The Afghanistan invasion brought Soviet Union in close proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, which could have been accessed through invasion of Iran. Soviet actions posed threat to the stability of the entire region. US along with other countries were dependant on the oil for functioning of their economies. The supply was also crucial for the military to maintain its operational capabilities. Saudi Arabia, therefore, was assured of security by US from communist adversaries. Iran was a key ally in the region to guard against spread of communism. Iran and Saudi Arabia were given aid to counter Soviet Union and ensure stability in the region. The Iranian revolution in 1979 complicated the situation; therefore, a new doctrine had to be formulated. The exclusion of Iran demanded a doctrine to present suitable threat to guard against spread of Soviets in the region and to find reliable replacement for supply of oil to US. President Carter’s doctrine was a paradigm shift from previous doctrines of President Truman, Eisenhower and Nixon. It was aimed to make clear the importance of the Persian Gulf as key vital interest. The doctrine made clear that any effort by hostile power to block the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf would be considered an attack on US vital interest and would be dealt with military force. It was a direct warning to the Soviet Union to stay out of the region (Stork, 1980). The doctrine also demanded close cooperation of surrounding countries in the region to support against this security threat. Implementation Rapid Deployment Force The US did not have significant military presence in the region at the time of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The US was dependant mainly on the NATO, which were conventional strategic forces and needed time to start its operation. President Carter formed Rapid Deployment Force, which was aimed to respond to international crisis immediately. The force consisted of five Army divisions and was stationed near the Persian Gulf. Elements of all four arms i.e. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine were incorporated in the organization of the force. The major aim was to create deterrence for the Soviet Union against possible intervention in the region and to ensure continuation of the oil flow from the Persian Gulf (Noel, 2006). The force was mobile and did not require forward military bases as compared to NATO deployment. Nuclear Policy Nuclear weapons were used as deterrence as well but its policy kept changing over time. The Carter Administration outlined the US policy for use of nuclear weapons. The new policy stressed that US must remain prepared to fight a protracted nuclear war (Siracusa & Coleman, 2001). Nuclear deterrence was used before Carter, but its new policy was aimed at backing the doctrine and claims of military action at any intervention in the Persian Gulf. Under Carter the largest buildup of US conventional and strategic forces began along with deployment of missile installations in Europe to counter the threat (Lebow & Kappen, 1996). Furthermore, Carter withdrew second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty to show his clear and aggressive stance. US-Pakistan Relationship Carter administration lifted sanctions against Pakistan (for following nuclear development) after the Iranian revolution and made it front line ally to support Islamic guerrillas / mujahedeen fighting Soviets in Afghanistan (Khan, 2010). The policy was later followed by Reagan and its magnitude increased. It was aimed at engaging the Soviets in Afghanistan and present resistance before it could dominate the Gulf region. Effects The Carter doctrine transformed the US national security policy. It formed the bases for the Reagan doctrine and the doctrine has been followed by his successors with varying magnitude. It laid basis for the defeat of Soviet Union and the termination of the Cold War. The long lasting effect of the doctrine is militarized approach of US towards various countries of the world (Bacevich, 2010). The doctrine also demanded improved conventional and strategic capabilities of the military. The buildups led to new innovations in military technology, which ultimately improved its efficiency as well as dependence. The doctrine, however, exposed US dependence on oil from the Persian Gulf. Iranian revolution stopped oil production for US and caused 1979 energy crisis. The crisis showed US dependence on oil and the importance of Strait of Hormuz. The expansion of Carter’s doctrine can be seen to date. The US military presence in the region is still maintained and used for stability as well as the protection of national interests. The doctrine also laid basis for use of military might in Afghanistan and Iraq and in effect US dominance on global geopolitics (Njolstad, 2004). Conclusion President Carter was focused on human rights issues as compared to President Nixon before him, but series of events like discovery of Soviet troops in Cuba and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led Carter to adopt a more aggressive position towards the Soviets. His actions like boycott of Olympics and the curtailment of trade did nothing to push Soviets out of Afghanistan, but his aggressive stance and the change in military policy lead to far reaching effects. The buildup of US arms and increased military spending paid off eventually and US reaps its benefits to date. Carter’s doctrine was different from previous doctrines, but it also incorporated Nixon’s approach in form of US support for Mujahedeen resistance to Soviets. The US still spends extraordinary resources to ensure continuation of oil flow from the Persian Gulf (Sandalow, 2007). Overall, the doctrine proved to be fruitful and gave US forces ability and efficiency to impose its military might when the situation demands. References Bacevich, A. (2010). The Carter doctrine at 30. World Affairs, April. Retrieved from http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/andrew-j-bacevich/carter-doctrine-30 Khan, S. (2010). The realist / constructivist paradigm: US foreign policy towards Pakistan and India. Reflections, 8, 30. Lebow, R. & Kappen, T. (1996). International relations theory and the end of the cold war. Retrieved from http://library.northsouth.edu/Upload/IR%20Theory.pdf Njolstad, O. (2004). Shifting priorities: The Persian Gulf in US strategic planning in the Carter years. Cold War History, 4(3), 22. Noel, P. (2006). The new US middle east policy and energy security changes. Retrieved from http://www.ifri.org/files/politique_etrangere/Article_Noel.pdf Rodrigue, J. (2004). Straits, passages and chokepoints: A maritime geostrategy of petroleum distribution. Cahiers de Geographie du Quebec, 48(135), 357-364. Sandalow, D. (2007). Ending oil dependence. (Unpublished dissertation). The Brookings Institution, Washington, DC. Siracusa, J. & Coleman, D. (2001). Scaling the nuclear ladder: Detterence from Truman to Clinton. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 54(November), 277. Stork, J. (1980). The Carter doctrine and US bases in middle east. MERI, 90, 3-7. Read More