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US Foreign Policy (FP) A Brief History

US Foreign Policy (FP) A Brief History. 1798-1941 The Isolationist Era. 1942-1945 World War II (start of “ Globalism ”). 1946-1989 The Cold War. 1990-present Post-Cold War. New category after 9/11/2001. Let’s examine these periods in greater detail.

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US Foreign Policy (FP) A Brief History

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  1. US Foreign Policy (FP)A Brief History 1798-1941 The Isolationist Era 1942-1945 World War II (start of“Globalism”) 1946-1989 The Cold War 1990-present Post-Cold War New category after 9/11/2001 Let’s examine these periods in greater detail

  2. Brief History of U.S. Foreign Policy • Isolationism* A foreign policy built on the principle of avoiding formal military and political alliances with other countries. • The Isolationist Era • 1st 150 yrs of US History • Adherenceto guidance of Washington’s Farwell address • Stressed avoiding political connections overseas • Pursue commercial trade ties only • US militarily weak & focused on expansion westward • Not interested in global role (2 oceans of separation) • What FP Doctrine* asserted US interests for the first time outside America, primarily throughout Western Hemisphere (1823)?

  3. The Monroe Doctrine A basic principle of U.S. foreign policy that dates back to a warning President James Monroe issued in 1823 that the United States would resist further European efforts to intervene in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere.

  4. Monroe Doctrine (1823) • Invoked 1895: early FP involvement outside US • Aim: Protect US interest in Western Hemisphere • US involvement overseas primarily in LATAM • US Military Intervention escalated beginning in 1900:

  5. World War I • US deviated from Isolationism briefly during WWI • WW1 (W. Wilson)=> make world “safe for democracy” • After WW1=> isolationism returns w/vengeance • Senate rejects League of Nations & Versailles treaty • Sets the stage for next global war => ?

  6. World War II • WWII=> US stays out of War as Hitler first attacks • Why does US change its mind about involvement?

  7. “Air Raid Pearl Harbor” 7 December 1941 Impact on American Public Opinion? Following WWII=> US rethinks previousisolationism

  8. Globalism Era => The Cold War • Globalism: • US should be prepared to use military force around the globe to protect its political & economic interests • Following WWII => who emerges as primary thereat to US political & military interest? • Presidential doctrine formulated as a result? • Truman Doctrine: • US would actively oppose communists’ attempts to overthrow or conquer non-communist nations • US Foreign Policy that emerged from the Truman Doctrine?*

  9. A bedrock principle of U.S. foreign policy from mid 1940s to early 1990s that emphasized the need to contain any further Soviet territorial & communist ideological expansion. Containment What was the economic instrument of Containment? • Marshall Plan: US commitment to rebuild Europe • $100 Billion+ appropriated for task in today’s $$$ • Soviets initially invited to participate (reaction?)

  10. Soviet Threat IDEOLOGY GEO-POLITICAL & STRATEGIC Containment MILITARY What was the military instrument of Containment?

  11. Cold War Military Alliances NATO Warsaw Pact

  12. Cold War Heats Up • As Soviets become more aggressive • US becomes more concerned • Conduct major National Security reassessment • NSC-68: National Security Strategy for Containment • Concludes a major increase in defense spending required • Truman administration balks at high price tag • SoNSC-68 filed in bottom drawer of someone’s safe • Then what major military event occurred in June 1950?

  13. Korean War From US perspective, Soviets engaged indirectly through NK & China

  14. US versus USSR- The Indirect Approach • Competition at margins=>the 3rd World • US primary Foreign Policygoal: • Prevent potential “falling dominoes” • Major test of this goal: Vietnam War: • US (Ike) supports French in SE Asia • Aim: Contain Soviet expansion in SEA • US view of most global crises & conflicts? • Most viewed as Soviet/communistinspired: • USSR => China => North Vietnam => South Vietnam’s guerilla insurgents • How does the US (JFK) initially deal with South Vietnam’s insurgency?*

  15. Counter Insurgency (CI) • JFK sends Special Forces & SEAL advisors to conduct CI • LBJexpands US involvement following 1964 Tonkin Gulf incident

  16. “Americanization” of Vietnam War(1965-1968) • Conventional US Troops take over fighting for SVN • Reach high point of 540,000 US troops by 1969 The majority of Americans support US policy & the war until 1968

  17. The “Tet” Offensive- 1968 • The “light at the end of the tunnel” becomes a speeding train’s headlight: • Americans become disillusioned with continuing the War as it’s bought home to them up front & personal • Look for a way out of Vietnam “with honor”

  18. Exit Strategy • US involvement reached high point by late 1968 • America became acutely divided over war • Following Tet Offensive most Americans just wanted out • Seeking a way out of quagmire • Nixon comes to powerwith “secret plan” to get out • “Vietnamization” => allow “Peace with Honor” • February 1973=> Peace Accords signed • War turned over to SVN & US military forces withdraw • 1975: Peace w/o Honor & the “Vietnam Syndrome” • Nixon sought Soviet help to get US out of Vietnam • Aim: Get Soviets & China to push North Vietnam to peace talks • Pursues easing of tensions between two superpowers- called?

  19. Détente’ • A policy of Nixon administration followed to develop more cordial relations with the Soviet Union. • Aimed in part in enlisting Soviet support to assist US in getting North Vietnam back to peace table & serious negotiations • So that US could get out of Vietnam “with honor.” • Détente’ lasted until 1979 • Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979 (Carter) brought US-Soviet Détente’to an abrupt end. US-Soviet relations declined even more when Ronald Reagan took office (“Evil Empire” Speech)

  20. Reagan &“The Evil Empire” • Reagan pursues hard line with the Soviets • A corrupt USSR system living on barrowed economic times • Serious reform long past due to save it from collapse • 1985: Mikhail Gorbachev=> comes to power & attempts reform => Perestroika & Glasnost • Problem: Soviet system too corrupt & broken to salvage • Reagan’sSDI=> outspending the Soviets into defeat • Unable to keep up with strategic arms race & go broke trying • Year of Revolution& fall of Eastern Europe - 1989 • Fall of Berlin Wall – symbol of Soviet Communism • US Military operations inThird Worldcontinued: • Grenada, Panama, Iraq #1 • (Clear lack of Soviet support for its former ally- Iraq) • Fall of Soviet Union- 1991 & End of Cold War

  21. After the Cold War • New World Order– • Strategic reassessment (Bush I) tries to figure out what US should do during the post Cold War era • Still trying to decide when Clinton is elected in 1992 • Policy of Enlargement(Clinton)=> • Expand democracy & free markets globally • Also use military force as required (& we did): • Somalia 1993 • Haiti 1994 • Bosnia & NATO peacekeeping- 1995 • Serbia bombing – 1999 • Kosovo – NATO bombing & peacekeeping- 2000

  22. Foreign Policy Under George W. Bush • Neo-isolationism: from 2000 until 9/11/2001 • Theory: US should take a step back • Avoid always acting as world’s policeman • Reality: Campaign rhetoric gives way to real world once in office • The world is still very dangerous & America is not immune • ON 9/11/2001 that reality hit home hard => revised policy • The Bush Doctrine: • America’s post 9/11/2001 Policy & Strategy- • Focus: Counter Terror Policy & National Security Strategy • Preemptive strikes & “preventative war” • US invasion of Afghanistan & Iraq II

  23. Foreign Policy (FP) VersusDomestic Policy (DP) • National Interest & its various degrees & levels • Vital vs. Important- (who decides?) • Text: “Two presidencies” • At Home( weak president) vs. Abroad (strong one)- why? • Five Sources of Presidential Foreign Policy power: • 1. The Constitution & president’s enumeratedvs. implied powers • 2. President’s “inherent” advantages in Foreign Policy • 3. Role of precedentin presidential dealings in Foreign Policy • 4. Supreme Court Rulings regarding presidential FP actions • 5. Behavior of Congress when the President takes decisive action • Let’s examines these sources of power in greater detail*

  24. 1. The Constitution and Foreign Policy • Article I=> enumeratedCongressional powers include: • Provide for common defense • Regulate commerce • Define & punish Piracies & Felonies on high seas • Declare War • Raise & support Armies & maintain a Navy • Make rules & regulations for land & naval forces (UCMJ) • Power of the purse => (fund or not fund military deployments) • Article II=> enumeratedPresidential powers: • Commander in Chief (title or job description?) • Power to make treaties (subject to Senate’s ratification) • Appoint Ambassadors (Senate also has role- what?)

  25. 2. The President’s Inherent Advantages • Foreign Policy success depends on (what?): • Speed(quickly seize the initiative) • Discretion(secrecy) • Flexibility(shift priorities as needed & compromise) • Presidential initiativesdepend on the venue used: • Foreign Policy (FP) vs. Domestic Policy (DP)- • Difference between the two WRT presidential freedom of action? • FP: UnlessCongress acts to halt president’s actions • (Military Force Deployment) – it stands- versus: • DP: UntilCongress agrees to act president’s initiative • (Social Security reform)- nothing happens

  26. 3. Precedent • President’s aggressive interpretation of FP powers • Any presidential action establishes precedent • If left unchallenged or challenge is unsuccessful=> • Implied power is successfully established as result • Successors use as spring board for further expansion • Truman to present=> • Implied power asCINC (Korean War- Text: Box 18-1) • Title confersimplied power to order troops into combat • Now accepted as precedent (though grudgingly) • Also depends on the perceived power & popularity (poll numbers) of the president

  27. 4. Supreme Court Rulings • US v. Curtiss -Wright Export Corporation (1936) • Court Decision: President’s FP powers go beyond Constitution • Impact:expanded implied Presidential powers in Foreign Policy • US v. Belmont (‘37)=> executive agreement (vs. Treaty) • Result:executive agreementstrend up- over 90% (See Box 18-2) • Furthermore Court usually refuses to hear challenges on FP • Effect: de facto Court support for presidential FP prerogatives • Desire to avoid Presidential/Congress political disputes in FP • Also Court believes FP rulings simply beyond their competence

  28. 5. Behavior of Congress • Partisan & institutional divisions in Congress=> • Results in their lack of unified action to challenge • Belief in strong Presidential leadership in FP • Electoral considerations • (What if President is right? – avoid voters’ displeasure) • Post WWII vs. post Vietnam Congressional behavior • End of Vietnam War & Cold War => • More Congressional activism in Foreign Policy • Post Iraq II Congressional behavior? (TBD)

  29. Who Makes U.S. Foreign Policy? President NSC White House Staff Foreign Policy Bureaucracies Congress American Public How much power & influence does each have on FP?*

  30. Foreign Policy Power Let’s examine each more closely

  31. The White House & NSC • Role of President & Vice President • Varies w/administration • Generally=> President has called all the shots • Recently VP delegated a great deal of power & influence • Certainly true of this Administration • National Security Council (NSC)* • Plays key role in formulating American Foreign Policy • NSC advisor & his or her staff’s role • Plays as eitherHonest brokerorpolicy advocate • Depends on President’s preference & NSC advisor • Nixon & Kissinger vs. Bush II & Rice (now Hadley)

  32. National Security Council (NSC) • Created in 1947 • Members include: • The President & Vice President • Secretary of State & Secretary of Defense • Director of CIA & Chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff • (Advisors to statutory members- subject to change) • The staff is headed up by the National Security Advisor • Other relevant Cabinet Secretaries invited as required

  33. Foreign Policy Bureaucracy State Department Defense Department CIA & Intel Community NSC Staff (Coordinator) Let’s examine their specific Foreign Policy roles

  34. The Foreign Policy Bureaucracy • Roles of Department of State (DOS) vs. Defense (DOD) • Current Iraq II example: DOD took the lead over State • Major debate ensued • (Winning the Peace vice just Winning the War) • Personality driven debate (who has the most influence?) • Uniformed Armed Svs’ role • Chairman & Joint Chiefs • (CJCS & JCS chiefs) • Military judgments in a political world (The Challenge?)

  35. Intelligence community • Intelligence community & selected agencies • Major current power shifts creating disruptions • DNI & CIA- who’s on first? (TBD ) • Expertise & experience must be taken into account • Recent Intel failure illustrates problem when not=> • Telling the boss always what he wants to hear? • Impact? (Tends to downplay unpleasant or hard news) • Also all Agencies compete with each other for power, influence, & $$$ (Budget share) • Result: Tends to drive US FP to also include what in their recommendations? • Agency’s own interests & agenda

  36. Constitution (Article I) assigns Congress explicit powers Result: Considerabletheoretical influence in foreign policy Before WWI & II, Congress tended to assert greater role in Foreign Policy During the 1950s and 1960sCongress typically deferred to the Executive Branch (Since WWII & start of Cold War) During 1970s and 1980sCongressional activism in foreign policy grew (Post Vietnam & Watergate) Post 9/11 Congress tended to defer to President (at first) Now appears to be re-asserting itself as war becomes unpopular Congress & Foreign Policy

  37. Congress & Foreign Policy (2) • So extent of power & influence varies over time • Cold War vs. post-Watergate & post-Vietnam War vs. • Post 9/11 (…and back to the future) • 3 ways Congress influences Foreign Policy: • 1. Substantive legislation • $$$ appropriations shape policy => power • 2. Procedural legislation • How laws & regulations must be applied wrt Policy • 3. Efforts to shape Public Opinion • (Democrats vs. GOP on success or failure of Iraq II)

  38. Public Opinion & Foreign Policy • Two options for the Public to shape Foreign Policy: • 1. Join interest groups & lobby Congress & President • 2. Vote for candidates aligned with their political views • Public seldom able to effect day to day polices (Iraq II) • Often policy makers decide with little regard to the Public –why? • Public lack detailed knowledge & expertise • Apathy (most don’t even know or care where crisis spot is) • More concerned with domestic & economic issues • Public usually rallies around President once conflict starts • Initial resistance to deployment => then active support • But with time support will wane if casualties grow and/or progress seems to take too long at too high a price • Then the Public makes its concerns known & with impact

  39. Impact of Public Opinion on Foreign Policy • Public Opinion provide decision makers with very little guidance, but… • Two indirect effects of Public Opinion: • 1. Constrains future policies which can be considered • Example: Vietnam legacy => Vietnam syndrome • 2. Determines Washington’s FP priorities(with the media) • Iraq II example=> looters initially brushed off by SECDEF • Media alerted public & public became concerned re. Iraqi Museum • As result FBI went to Iraq to track down stolen antiquities • Recent Public concern for Intel failure wrt WMD • Forced Administration to adjust reason for invasion (democracy) • Then forced to defend itself against critics (cherry picking Intel?)

  40. Challenges of the Post–Cold War Era • Major debate continues: • What should the US role be in the post-Cold War era? • Disagreements over Goals & Strategies & Change: • Terror strike of 9/11/2001 changed everything • Debate now centers on strategy to prevent 2nd attack • Preventive War & pre-emptive strikes (Bush Doctrine) • (Containment strategyno longer viable option)- why? • Soviet Union no longer exists & suicide bombers can’t be logically deterred • Homeland Security & Defense at what expense? • What’s at stake: Cost in $$$ & Freedoms

  41. US Defense Spending (in $$$: 1962-2010) Another way to look at Defense Spending?*

  42. DOD Budget (as % of GDP) Korean War % of G D P Vietnam War (High point) Cold War Ends 9/11

  43. Disagreements about the goals and strategies of American foreign policy for 21st century An ever changing foreign policy agenda Cold War => Post Cold War => Bush Doctrine Unilateralversus multilateral*FP approach How are they different?* Future Challenges to US Foreign Policy

  44. Unilateralism: The tendency of the US to act alone in foreign affairs without consulting other countries. Multilateralism: Three or more Nations cooperate together to solve some common foreign policy problem Unilateralism vs. Multilateralism Particular approach selectedwill depend on the major FP problems the US will face during the 21st Century

  45. Potential Problems in US Foreign Policy for 21st Century • The United States will face complex problems in: • Nuclear proliferation(North Korea & Iran) • Military interventions(The Middle East & exiting Iraq) • Economic policy(Trade imbalance w/China & MEOil prices) • Globalization(Global interdependence & domestic impact) • “Inter-mestic” issues (Foreign Policy impact at home) • Human rights(American ideals vs. US National interests) • Homeland Security(Balancing security with liberties) • The unknown threat(Future “9/11s”?)

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