Inassignment 3 We Ask You To Write About America's Internati

Inassignment 3 We Ask You To Write About Americas International Supe

In assignment 3, we ask you to write about America's international superpower role for the long period since World War II to the present, focusing on strategic concerns and confrontations during the Cold War and Post-Cold War periods. You are required to select one strategic concern and one confrontation from each period to analyze, supported by at least three sources, including the Schultz textbook and two additional credible sources from the provided list. Your paper should follow the Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) format, be approximately 1000 words, and include in-text citations and a full references list. Use clear, structured paragraphs with an introduction, body, and conclusion to discuss the evolution of U.S. foreign policy, major conflicts, and strategic concerns from the Cold War through the present day.

Paper For Above instruction

The role of the United States as an international superpower has been a defining feature of its foreign policy since the aftermath of World War II. Throughout this period, U.S. strategies and confrontations have evolved in response to global threats and ideological struggles. This paper examines one strategic concern and one confrontation from the Cold War era and the Post-Cold War period, analyzing how these reflect broader U.S. foreign policy objectives and challenges.

The Cold War: Containment and the Cuban Missile Crisis

The primary strategic concern during the Cold War was containment—the U.S. policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism, particularly Soviet influence, beyond its existing borders. This strategy emerged from the recognition that the spread of communism threatened U.S. interests and global stability. As articulated by John Dulles in 1954, the strategy of massive retaliation or nuclear deterrence was central to U.S. approach (Dulles, 1954). The policy sought to deter Soviet expansion through the threat of overwhelming nuclear response, embodying the concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD), which aimed to prevent any nuclear conflict through existential deterrence (Wilde, 2019).

One of the most significant confrontations illustrating Cold War containment is the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. This crisis involved the Soviet deployment of nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S. coast. It brought the world to the brink of nuclear war and revealed the intense strategic rivalry between the superpowers (Chace, 2015). The U.S. responded with a naval blockade and diplomatic negotiations, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of Soviet missiles from Cuba. This confrontation exemplified the risks inherent in Cold War strategies and underscored the importance of leadership and communication in crisis management (Chace, 2015).

The Post-Cold War Period: Terrorism and the Invasion of Iraq

Transitioning into the post-Cold War era, the primary strategic concern shifted toward terrorism, rogue states, and weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The U.S. response to these threats involved preemptive military interventions and efforts to contain the proliferation of WMD and destabilizing regimes (Caplan, 2019). The 1991 Persian Gulf War, led by President George H. W. Bush, was a pivotal confrontation that aimed to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation and demonstrated U.S. military dominance (Bush, 1991).

The invasion of Iraq in 2003 marked a decisive moment in post-Cold War U.S. strategy. Based on claims that Iraq possessed WMD and posed a threat to global security, the Bush administration launched a preemptive strike, defying traditional alliances and international consensus. This intervention exemplifies the shift toward unilateral action and the commitment to confronting rogue states proactively (Powell, 2003). The aftermath of the invasion revealed complex challenges, including insurgency, regional destabilization, and debates over the justification and effectiveness of the intervention. The conflict fundamentally altered the perception of U.S. foreign policy and strategic concerns in the modern era.

Analysis and Conclusions

Analyzing these strategic concerns and confrontations reveals a trajectory of U.S. foreign policy from reliance on nuclear deterrence and containment to preemptive military interventions aimed at countering emerging threats. During the Cold War, strategies centered on deterrence and crisis management, exemplified by the Cuban Missile Crisis, while in the post-Cold War period, the focus shifted toward combating terrorism, rogue states, and WMD proliferation through military and diplomatic means. These developments reflect a broader trend of adapting to new global threats while maintaining American leadership and influence on the world stage.

In conclusion, America’s international superpower role has been characterized by strategic maneuvers designed to safeguard national interests and promote stability. The Cold War era emphasized containment and deterrence to manage bipolar tensions, whereas the post-Cold War period has prioritized proactive measures against asymmetric threats. Understanding these strategic evolutions illuminates the ongoing challenges and responsibilities faced by the United States as a global leader.

References

• Caplan, B. (2019). The Domino Theory Reconsidered. Foreign Affairs.
• Chace, S. (2015). The Cuban Missile Crisis: Leadership as Disturbance, Informed by History. The Atlantic.
• Dulles, J. F. (1954). Secretary Dulles' Strategy of Massive Retaliation. Foreign Policy.
• Wilde, J. (2019). What is Mutually Assured Destruction? ThoughtCo.
• Bush, G. H. W. (1991). Address before a Joint Session of Congress on the Cessation of the Persian Gulf Conflict.
• Caplan, B. (2019). The Domino Theory Reconsidered. Foreign Affairs.
• Powell, C. (2003). Transcript of Powell's UN Presentation, February 6. U.S. Department of State.
• Winston Churchill. (1946). Iron Curtain Speech, Fulton College, Missouri.
• McNamara, R. (2019). Why Did the US Enter the Vietnam War? History Today.
• Musili, K. (2017). What is a Rogue State? WorldAtlas.