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

Download file to see previous pages... Strait of Hormuz forms a bottleneck at the Persian Gulf, therefore, a strategic position to control the oil flow from the region. The Afghanistan invasion brought the Soviet Union in close proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, which could have been accessed through an invasion of Iran. Soviet actions posed threat to the stability of the entire region. The US along with other countries were dependant on the oil for the 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 the US from communist adversaries.  Iran was a key ally in the region to guard against the spread of communism. Iran and Saudi Arabia were given aid to counter the Soviet Union and ensure stability in the region. The Iranian revolution in 1979 complicated the situation; therefore, a new doctrine had the to be formulated. The exclusion of Iran demanded a doctrine to present suitable threat to guard against the spread of Soviets in the region and to find a reliable replacement for supply of oil to the 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 the 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.  ...Download file to see next pagesRead More