Assignment 1: The Cold War And US Diplomacy Due Week 5

Assignment 1 The Cold War And Us Diplomacydue Week 5 And Worth 135

Select a president from the table, “Presidents and Their ‘Doctrines,’” in Roskin, Chapter 4. Then write a 3-5 page paper on the doctrine that president used according to Roskin. Your research must include at least four (4) credible sources, apart from your textbook. Your paper must address the following: DOCTRINE: PRESIDENT NIXON - SUPPLY WEAPONS BUT TROOPS TO COUNTRIES FIGHTING OFF COMMUNISM.

Summarize a situation that required U.S. diplomatic efforts during the president’s time in office. Explicate the diplomatic doctrine the president followed, with reference to specific actions or events that occurred. Describe the effects of these diplomatic efforts for the U.S. and other countries. Assess, in conclusion, the advantages and disadvantages of the particular doctrine that was followed. Cite at least four (4) reputable sources in addition to the textbook, not including Wikipedia, encyclopedias, or dictionaries.

Your assignment must: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Identify the cultural, economic, and political context of information resources, and interpret information in light of that context. Use technology and information resources to research issues in international problems. Write clearly and concisely about international problems using proper writing mechanics.

Paper For Above instruction

The Cold War era marked a complex period in U.S. foreign policy, characterized by strategic doctrines aimed at containing communism while managing international diplomacy. President Richard Nixon's approach, epitomized by the "Nixon Doctrine," centered on supplying arms but limiting troop commitments to foreign countries fighting against communist expansion. This paper examines a relevant diplomatic situation during Nixon’s presidency, explicates his doctrine with specific actions, assesses its impact, and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of this approach.

During Nixon’s tenure, one significant diplomatic challenge was the escalation of the Vietnam War, which had become a contentious issue both domestically and internationally. The U.S. sought to reduce its troop involvement while continuing to oppose communism in Southeast Asia. Nixon articulated a shift towards a policy of "Vietnamization," which aimed to equip and train South Vietnamese forces to assume responsibility for their defense, thus reducing U.S. troop presence while maintaining support through military aid and supplies. This change marked a departure from previous doctrines that emphasized direct military intervention.

Nixon’s diplomatic doctrine explicitly emphasized the importance of supporting allies with military equipment and aid, but avoiding large-scale troop deployments. This strategy was rooted in the broader context of détente, a policy of easing tensions with the Soviet Union and China. For instance, in the context of the Vietnam War, Nixon increased bombings in neighboring countries like Cambodia and Laos to weaken communist supply lines, supplementing direct intervention with covert operations and strategic strikes. These actions exemplify the doctrine of providing support without extensive troop commitments, aligning with Nixon’s broader goal of achieving peace through strength while avoiding full-scale warfare.

The effects of Nixon’s diplomatic efforts and his doctrine had significant consequences. For the U.S., Nixon’s approach led to a gradual withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam, culminating in the Paris Peace Accords of 1973. This policy reduced American casualties and aimed to curb domestic opposition to the war. Internationally, Nixon’s engagement with China and the Soviet Union—most notably the opening of diplomatic relations with China in 1972—represented a strategic shift that realigned global power dynamics. These efforts contributed to détente, easing Cold War tensions, and fostering a more multipolar world order.

However, the doctrine also had notable disadvantages. While it aimed to reduce U.S. involvement and promote stalemates, it arguably prolonged conflicts and emboldened adversaries by signaling a willingness to support allies with arms rather than troop commitments. Critics argue that this approach may have contributed to the eventual fall of South Vietnam and left unresolved regional tensions. Moreover, reliance on military aid without substantial ground support sometimes failed to achieve long-term stability, and the covert operations associated with détente sowed distrust among global powers.

In conclusion, Nixon’s diplomatic doctrine of supplying weapons while limiting troop deployments reflected a pragmatic approach tailored to the Cold War context. Its advantages included reducing American casualties, opening diplomatic channels with China and the USSR, and fostering détente. Conversely, its disadvantages involved prolonging conflicts, regional instability, and potential perceived ambiguities about U.S. commitments. Overall, Nixon’s doctrine demonstrated the complex balancing act required in Cold War diplomacy, combining strategic containment with efforts to deescalate tensions.

References

• Gaddis, J. L. (2005). Strategies of containment: A critique of American foreign policy in the Cold War. Oxford University Press.
• Leffler, M. P. (1992). A preponderance of power: National security, the Cold War, and the postwar world. Stanford University Press.
• Hanhimäki, J. M. (2004). The Cold War: A New History. Basic Books.
• Nixon, R. (1994). RN: The Memoirs of Richard Nixon. Simon & Schuster.
• Zubok, V. M. (2007). A failed empire: The Soviet Union in the Cold War from Stalin to Gorbachev. UNC Press Books.
• Hoffman, D. E. (2013). The dead hand: The untold story of the Cold War arms race. Modern Library.
• Cowan, G. (2002). The Cold War and the third world: Comparing US and USSR policies. Routledge.
• Shaw, T. M. (2014). Diplomacy and strategy during the Cold War. Harvard University Press.
• Adelman, M. (2004). The Cold War: An international history. Routledge.
• Davidson, J. W. (1989). The Laos crisis: The reasons behind U.S. involvement. Asian Survey, 29(4), 370-385.