History
AMERICAN HISTORY WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 5
Syed Tanimul Hoque
What were the effects of the end of the Cold War on American foreign policy, and why did the United States go to war in Central America and the Persian Gulf? How has America tried to define its place in the new world order?
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States was the sole remaining superpower. With the breakup of the Soviet Union into separate nations, and with the re-emergence of the nation of Russia, the world of pro-U.S. and pro-Soviet alliances broke down. Different challenges presented themselves such as climate change as well as the threat of nuclear terrorism. Regional powerbrokers and dictators such as Saddam Hussein in Iraq challenged the peace with a surprise attack on the small nation of Kuwait in 1991. It leads to the first Gulf War which strengthen the position of US as new world leader. After the Gulf War, many scholars claimed the lack of a new strategic vision for U.S. foreign policy resulted in many missed opportunities for its foreign policy. During 1990’s, the United States mostly scaled back its foreign policy budget as well as its cold war defense budget which amounted to 6.5% of GDP while focusing on domestic economic prosperity under President Clinton, who succeeded in achieving a budget surplus for 1999, and 2000. (Roark J, Johnson M, Cohen P, Stage S, Lawson A, Hartmann S, The American Promise” p 1146) The United Sates also served as a peace-keeper in the warring ethnic disputes in the former Yugoslavia by cooperating as a U.N. peacekeeper.
United States invaded Panama in 1989 in order to overthrow military dictator Manuel Noriega who had been a corrupt dictator heading an efficient narcomilitaristic regime in Panama. He was involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, money laundering and the ruthless oppression of his people. He also systematically violated the American –Panamanian Canal treaties and harassed U.S. forces and
Syed Tanimul Hoque
What were the effects of the end of the Cold War on American foreign policy, and why did the United States go to war in Central America and the Persian Gulf? How has America tried to define its place in the new world order?
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States was the sole remaining superpower. With the breakup of the Soviet Union into separate nations, and with the re-emergence of the nation of Russia, the world of pro-U.S. and pro-Soviet alliances broke down. Different challenges presented themselves such as climate change as well as the threat of nuclear terrorism. Regional powerbrokers and dictators such as Saddam Hussein in Iraq challenged the peace with a surprise attack on the small nation of Kuwait in 1991. It leads to the first Gulf War which strengthen the position of US as new world leader. After the Gulf War, many scholars claimed the lack of a new strategic vision for U.S. foreign policy resulted in many missed opportunities for its foreign policy. During 1990’s, the United States mostly scaled back its foreign policy budget as well as its cold war defense budget which amounted to 6.5% of GDP while focusing on domestic economic prosperity under President Clinton, who succeeded in achieving a budget surplus for 1999, and 2000. (Roark J, Johnson M, Cohen P, Stage S, Lawson A, Hartmann S, The American Promise” p 1146) The United Sates also served as a peace-keeper in the warring ethnic disputes in the former Yugoslavia by cooperating as a U.N. peacekeeper.
United States invaded Panama in 1989 in order to overthrow military dictator Manuel Noriega who had been a corrupt dictator heading an efficient narcomilitaristic regime in Panama. He was involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, money laundering and the ruthless oppression of his people. He also systematically violated the American –Panamanian Canal treaties and harassed U.S. forces and