Flexible Response Doctrine of the US - Essay Example

The Cold War and U.S Diplomacy: Flexible Response Doctrine Affiliation The Cold War and U.S Diplomacy: Flexible ResponseDoctrine The era of the Cold War required the implementation of strategies that would give the United States a military and weapon advantage over its enemies. Prior to the era, extreme measures such nuclear approaches were considered as options. However, the use of nuclear weapons was not considered as a military option due to its devastating effects. During the reign of President Kennedy the Soviet Union was still a threat to world peace, and it had exceptional military and weapon strategies. President used the Flexible Response Doctrine under advisory of Robert McNamara to develop his foreign policies (Roskin, 2012). A Situation that Required Diplomatic Efforts In Kennedy’s term in office, the most significant situation that depicted his exceptional foreign policy and diplomatic skills was the Cuban Missile Crisis. At the time, the United States and Cuba had a bad diplomatic relationship. The relationship was in existent before the reign of President Kennedy. In 1962, the United States carried out the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba (McElrath, 2008). In event, the effects were devastating to the country. The ill-fated act attracted global concerns. Enemies to the United States were provided an opportunity to capitalize from the mistake by President Kennedy. Specifically, the Soviet Union directly depicted its support to Cuba. The Soviets announced that they would develop mechanism that would protect Cuba from further attacks from the United States. The mechanism involved the provision of military and weapons to Cuba. In late July in the same year, the Soviet Union started placing its military personnel and weapons in Cuba. The weapons included 100 nuclear weapons. The move was viewed as a direct provocation to the United States. In an argument by Roskin (2012) the move by the Soviet Union was not aimed at protecting Cuba, but as a military strategy due to Cuba’s proximity and diplomatic relationship to the United States. President Kennedy discovered the tactics and arranged a secret meeting with EXCOMM. Regardless of advisory pressure, Kennedy put off any military approach to the crisis. Kennedy opted to impose a naval quarantine on Cuba (Goduti, 2009). In October, Kennedy addressed the nation on the issue citing the quarantine, and demanding removal of the missiles placed by the soviets. Nikita Khrushchev was provided with a letter for a pledge to peaceful resolve the conflict. The soviets agreed to the demand but also required the United States to remove its Jupiter Missiles from Turkey (Goduti, 2009). At the time, the Jupiter missiles were not function and they were removed by 1963. Goduti (2009) asserts that the agreement provided a solution to the conflict and as a victory to President Kennedy. Explicate the Diplomatic Doctrine the President Followed Based on the Events that Occurred The Flexible Response doctrine was also based on the help the United States would receive from its allies against the Soviet Union. In an argument by Roskin (2012) the doctrine by Kennedy was specifically developed to defeat the Soviets in war and intelligence affairs. The author further asserts that the doctrine also required the consideration of less extreme approaches to conflict before stern measures could be considered (Roskin, 2012). For instance, in regards to the Cuban Missile conflict, President Kennedy had a military option to use instead of a peaceful way of finding a resolution. The Flexible Response doctrine in regards to focus on the Soviet Union was based on three approaches to war. Firstly, there was the direct defense. The use of this approach was also determined by the attacks levelled on the United States. The approach propped the use non-nuclear weapons in in stopping a soviet invasion that used conventional weapons. Then there was the deliberate escalation that would be used in a situation where the soviets had a superior military presence. The approach allowed the use of light nuclear weapons. In an extreme nuclear threat from the soviet, the general nuclear response was the option. The option allowed the use of nuclear weapons. However, the crisis in Cuba did not escalate to the point that required the use of military or nuclear actions. Due to its flexibility, Kennedy opted the use of peaceful negotiation before considering a direct defense approach. Hastedt (2004) is of the assumption that the doctrine by Kennedy was versatile enough to consider peaceful conflict resolution approached before war could be considered. The author further asserts that by demanding the removal of missiles from Cuba was a last warning before Kennedy could justify the use of the direct defense approach (Hastedt, 2004). Describe the Effects of these Diplomatic Efforts for the U.S. and other Countries Similar to the doctrine used by other presidents, Kennedy’s doctrine also directly showed support for its allies mainly across Europe where the Soviets posed a major threat. In addition, the doctrine was also aimed at minimizing the rate of production nuclear weapons. Hastedt (2004) is of the assumption that Kennedy realized the only way that he could ensure the safety of the United States and its allies was to minimize the production of nuclear weapons by both its enemies and allies. Firstly, minimized nuclear weapons production from its allies would put pressure on the soviet to stop its nuclear production. The doctrine was also used a tactic to avoid military action as a direct option to resolve conflicts. The effects of these strategies were significant for both the United States and other countries. For the United States, it was able to command more power and respect from other nations. The success of the doctrine elevated the diplomatic importance of the United States. Goduti (2009) is of the assumption that the United States became more powerful in regards in its foreign policies. The author further points out that the idea to avoid military confrontation increased the relevance and importance of its foreign policy. For instance, European Nations would easily abide to instructions from Kennedy. The United Nations was also able to minimize its expenditure of military actions which was very high at the moment. In addition, the doctrine further decreased the global significance of the Soviet Union. Nations like France and West Germany became more vocal in the campaigns against the Soviet Union. McElrath (2008) points out that these trend were further influenced by the increased development of NATO forces as a strategy by the Kennedy’s doctrine. Generally, the doctrine further minimized the occurrences of war. For instance, the doctrine evaded the use of war during the Cuba Missile Crisis and the East Berlin Diplomatic conflict. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Particular Doctrine that was followed The main advantage of the doctrine was that Kennedy was able to develop more peaceful ways of conflict resolution. At the time, instances of war were a common feature as countries were effectively equipped to deploy military and weapon as resolution tactics. The doctrine also minimized the control of the Soviet Union over numerous countries in Europe. At the time, the Soviet Union had a superior military personnel over European allied forces and the United States. Exclusion of military actions minimized their instances of success. At the same time, the United States made more allies. Additionally, the doctrine significantly reduced the global production and development of nuclear weapons. In an argument by McElrath (2008) the main disadvantage of the Flexible Response increased the consideration use of less conventional approaches to acquire intelligence. The author further points out that the cold war gradually developed from the use of the doctrine (McElrath, 2008). In addition, increased influence from the United States minimized the military power and abilities on European Nations. This increased their dependency on the United States in case of a Soviet attack or threat. References Goduti, P. (2009). Kennedys kitchen cabinet and the pursuit of peace. NC: McFarland. Hastedt, G. (2004). Encyclopedia of American foreign policy. New York: InfoBase Publishing. McElrath, J. (2008). The Everything John F. Kennedy Book: Relive the History, Romance, and Tragedy of Americas Camelot. New York: Everything Books Roskin, M. (2012). Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography, Culture. New York: Pearson Education. Read More