The Foreign Policy under President George W. H Bush Senior - Research Paper Example

The Federal Foreign Policy of the United States under Presidents George W.H. Bush Senior and George W. Bush Junior The Foreign Policy under President George W. H Bush Senior President George Bush assumed office in turbulent times such as the collapse of the Soviet Union and the invasion of Kuwait by the government of Iraq under the toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein. It is a period highly associated with dramatic changes which the president considered as an opportunity promising success of his administration in its endeavor to guarantee peace and prosperity for all Americans. Bush believed it as a new setting to break down totalitarian rule and its ideas in the world. This period also saw the end of the gulf war (Kaufman, 2009). Several factors played a key role in moderating the Persian Gulf policy of the Bush senior administration. These included the political realignments in the Soviet Union, the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990, the holding hostage of Americans by the allies of Iran in Lebanon and the “new round of Arab-Israel peace talks”. The most significant priority of this policy was designed to liberate Kuwait from the hands of Iraq. This decision was purportedly pushed through to ensure that Iraq did not dominate the oil rich gulf region (Kaufman, 2009). More over, the Persian Gulf policy was aimed at preventing the Iraq government from invading Saudi Arabia an occasion which would have enabled Iraq to amass nuclear weapons. The George W.H. Bush administration considered Iraq and Iran as stout supporters of terrorism which threatened the world peace. This caused an enormous distrust against the Islamic republic of Iran though the diplomatic approach applied by the Bush administration met the expected results (Kaufman, 2009). The Persian Gulf policy attained its social and political objectives especially with the release of the hostages from Lebanon, the freeing of Kuwait and the protection of Saudi Arabia from the invasion by Iraq. Terrorism greatly threatened the economic advancement of the United States and its allies; this was made graver after Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait. This invasion had put the dictatorial Saddam Hussein at the control of a large proven oil reserves and Army in the world. The Saddam’s influence on the decision making in the Organization of Oil and Petroleum Exporting Countries was viewed as a threat to the oil prices which he could manipulate to raise funds and finance his military and terrorist activities (Kaufman, 2009). In addition, Kaufman (2009) alleges that, in attaining the objective of a peaceful Gulf and Middle East region the Bush administration successfully brokered a deal with Israel and its Arab allies. This strengthened the United States influence in the region. In the demonstration of his commitment to world peace, Bush pushed for a policy to the establishment of various treaties on arms reduction and agreements. With this in force the Bush senior administration believed, a lasting world peace and security for the Americans will be guaranteed. In exercise of this policy Bush did not interfere with the disintegration of the Soviet Union which led to the emergence of several independent republics and some unaffiliated states. The bystander position, the president George Bush took manifested his cold war policy against all perceived enemies of the United States of America. The Foreign Policy under the president George W. Bush Junior President George W. Bush Junior, assumed power when the world was being under the threat of increased terrorism especially from the Arab States. It was also a time of deep tensions between Israel and its war rival Palestine which threatened peace and American influence in the Middle East. During the same period Middle East and Asian countries such as Syria, Iran, Iraq and North Korea were threatening to produce nuclear weapons (Kaufman, 2009). The grave allegations that the Saddam Hussein administration in Iraq held arms of mass destruction, the collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11th influenced the formulation of the Persian Gulf policy under the George Bush junior presidency. It was believed there were nuclear weapons being developed in Iraq subsequently threatening world peace. Allegedly, these weapons were being designed to be used in the promotion of terrorism which ultimately would impact greatly on the political, economic and social development of the Americans (Kaufman, 2009). Kaufman, (2009) Suggests that, this Persian Gulf policy declared war in Iraq to destroy the weapons and overthrow the dictatorial Baath party leadership under Saddam Hussein. This was seen as the best way to guarantee the world a terrorist free existence and safe guarding international trade of American products. Economically this war turned out to be more costly impacting highly on the tax paying Americans. It was viewed as more of a burden than liberation to the people of the United States. More over, the American-Iraq war failed in its social and political objective. It was designed to flush out dictatorship in Iraq and Install a more democratic government and ultimate peace and freedom to all the Iraq people and the Gulf region. This goal has failed with increased internal conflict with the emergence of militia and terrorists’ haven in Iraq and the large Arab countries. These groups are continuously fighting with the government denying the Iraq people freedom. This war socially hurt Americans with more casualties on the American forces and increased hatred of the American people (Kaufman, 2009). Conclusion Remarkably the Bush senior administration was more diplomatic and peaceful in the push for its Persian Gulf policy. It only resulted to war as an ultimate action after the failure of economic sanctions. This policy achieved more than the political, social and economic associated with it. On the other hand the Bush junior administration pushed for a foreign policy which advocated for reduction of “nation building” and small scale military engagements. It was more confrontational and war like insisting that American forces must only be involved in fighting and winning wars. In the end, the policy left more social, political and economic harm to the Americans than the benefits it achieved. Reference Kaufman, J. P. (2009). A Concise History of US Foreign Policy. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Read More