Eisenhower's Farewell Address - Essay Example

Running head: EISENHOWER’S FAREWELL ADDRESS Eisenhower’s Farewell Address March 14, Eisenhower’s Farewell Address TheUnited States of America is the most powerful country on planet Earth due to the unmatched strength of its army, navy, and air force, which guard not only the American citizens but also the democracies in other parts of world. The mightiness of the USA was declared by Eisenhower on January 17, 1961 during his farewell address, when he warned about the nation’s massive armaments industry, which was well-prepared to combat subversion, imperialism, or terrorism (Marquette University, n.d.).

However, the subsequent events, including the Vietnam war, the Cold War, and the Gulf wars, have created dilemma in the minds of intellectual citizens who want to live with peace, liberty, and security. It seems that some nations consider the mighty armaments industry of the USA as a threat, which also jeopardizes global security, liberty, and peaceful harmony. The cold war still persists between Russia and the USA, and the two countries consider each other as enemies even though many agreements have been signed in the past (Pesov, 2010).

The message of Eisenhower reiterated expansion of military to support the peaceful goals, but it seems that the USA has invited more jealousy and animosity. North Korea, Iran, Lebanon, and several Muslim countries are increasing their military strength to match the mightiness of the American military establishment. Isn’t the peaceful goal lost somewhere? Haven’t the desires of American leaders to manufacture sophisticated arms and to sell them at profit to other countries subdued the peaceful goals of American citizens?

The recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have claimed the lives of millions of innocent civilians in addition to killing soldiers. No, the expansion of arms does not fortify peace in any country; rather, the arrogance of possessing the mighty weapons of mass destruction compels a dictator to use these lethal arms against humanity. So the peaceful goals are not achieved even when the citizens are alert and educated because arms race also destroys the foundation that lays the seeds of peace. References Marquette University. (n.d.). Eisenhower's Farewell Address to the Nation.

Retrieved March 15, 2011, from http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/ike.htm Pesov, E. (2010). Russia, USA are Doomed to Remain Potential Enemies. RIA Novosti. Retrieved March 15, 2011, from http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20101011/160913783.html