Lecture 11: Features of the Cold War

1. Lecture 11: Features of the Cold War April 21, 2010

2. Failed States in the Gulf of Aden: Why Should We Care? In recent years the security situation around the Gulf of Aden has changed frequently and often dramatically. In Somalia and Yemen states are failing or on the brink of failure. Piracy and terrorism constitute growing threats to local and international communities. Join us for a Panel Discussion! 6:30 pm on Wednesday, April 21st Communications 120 Panelists Frederick Lorenz teaches at JSIS and has visited Somaliland frequently in the past years. Robert Burrowes teaches at JSIS is an authority on the history and politics of Yemen. Introduced and moderated by Scott Radnitz and Wolfram Latsch, Assistant Professors, JSIS

3. Misperceptions • Security dilemma: steps pursued by states to bolster their security have the effect--often unintended and unforeseen--of making other states less secure Contributing factors -Minimal contact -Different political cultures -Psychological processes -Context

4. Domestic Politics • US: play up Communist threat to emphasize security credentials • USSR: demonize West to justify holding onto power • “Military-industrial complex”

5. Military-Industrial Complex “This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. …We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes.” --President Dwight Eisenhower, 1960

6. Ideology • Teleological conceptions of history • “Missionary impulses” • US: superiority of capitalism • USSR: universality of Communism

7. US Policy Debate: Three Options • Rollback • Accommodation • Containment

8. Containment Premises --Soviet Union, not Communism, is the enemy --Soviet leadership deterrable (i.e. not Hitler) --Hard for Soviet Union to maintain hegemony in its sphere --Political diversity is acceptable Policy --Distinguish vital from peripheral interests --Restraint, patience --US could prevail by example Definition, according to Kennan: policies to stop Soviet expansion through selective use of resources and careful distinction of real and apparent threats

9. NSC-68 • US threatened by Communism, not only by USSR • Perceptions matter • Soviet expansion produces strength, not weakness • Use military means, increase defense budget

10. Features of the Cold War Order • Bi-polarity • Emergence of “third world” • Nuclear deterrence • “second strike capability”: ability to absorb a nuclear attack and still inflict unacceptable damage on an adversary • Mutually assured destruction—MAD • Unwritten rules • Military alliances

11. NATO: “to keep the Russians out, the Germans down, and America in”

12. Mini-NATOs SEATO CENTO

13. Action and Reaction

14. Anti-Communism at Home

15. Cold War “Culture”