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Reagan Foreign Policy

Reagan Foreign Policy. Reagan Doctrine. The U.S. will provide support to anti-communist resistance movements in Soviet-leaning, 3 rd World nations with the goals of: 1. Stopping the infiltration or spread of communism 2. Weakening the U.S.S.R (“the focus of evil in the world”) KEYS:

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Reagan Foreign Policy

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  1. Reagan Foreign Policy

  2. Reagan Doctrine The U.S. will provide support to anti-communist resistance movements in Soviet-leaning, 3rd World nations with the goals of: 1. Stopping the infiltration or spread of communism 2. Weakening the U.S.S.R (“the focus of evil in the world”) KEYS: a. Not a new idea (Truman, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Carter, et al) b. Nature of “support” is important

  3. Beirut • October 23, 1983 – bomb exploded at Marine barracks • 241 killed • Horrific images of bodies pulled out of rubble • Worst loss of a Marine force since WW 2

  4. Beirut • Bombing linked to Iranian (some Syrian) terrorists. Early Hezbollah • US Marines stationed as peacekeepers due to Lebanese Civil War • Shiite extremists saw them as pro-Christian and pro-Israel

  5. Grenada

  6. Grenada • 48 hours after Beirut 5,000 Marines sent to tiny Caribbean Island • Turmoil by Marxist group led by Maurice Bishop • 800 Cuban laborers building a landing strip which could accommodate Soviet planes

  7. Grenada • Desire to protect 500 Americans • Many enrolled at St. George’s Medical School • Had been told to remain in dorms for safety • Curfew established due to political unrest • “We got there just in time” • - R. Reagan

  8. Grenada • Invasion condemned by United Kingdom, Canada, UN General Assembly as a “flagrant violation of international law” • Grenada part of Commonwealth of Nations (former piece of British Empire) • Even Margaret Thatcher condemned! (Very close with Reagan)

  9. El Salvador

  10. El Salvador • Civil War from 1980-1992 • Military regime (backed by US) vs. a coalition of left-wing militias (backed by Cuba . . . USSR?) • At least 75,000 civilians killed, many government “Death Squads” • Congressional Report later indicates frequent atrocities by gov’t troops – many officers trained by USA. • 1 million flee violence and come to USA

  11. “Freedom Fighters” or Right Wing Slaughter?

  12. Iran-Contra ScandalPart 1 • BEGINS IN NICARAGUA • Led by left-wing president, Daniel Ortega • Ortega’s regime part of Socialist Movement known as “Sandanistas” • US had supported Sandanistas in late 1970s to overthrow previous dictators • Ortega was a democratically elected president • Reagan concerned about Cuban ties

  13. Iran-Contra Scandal • US CIA trains “Contra” rebels to topple Ortega government • Attacked collective farms, killed rivals, planned assassinations – UGLY STUFF • World Court called US guilty of “State Sponsored Terrorism” (US ignored proceedings) • Supporters claimed that efforts were keeping Communist regime from destroying legitimate rivals • KEY: Needed money for these operations

  14. Iran-Contra ScandalPart 2 In another part of the world . . . • Iran controlled by radical Shiites (US enemy) • Iran at war with Iraq and in need of weapons • Iran holds 6 American hostages • Moderates in Iran MAY assist in release of hostages IF US provides weapons • Reagan clearly approved selling weapons to Iranian moderates (through Israel) to free hostages

  15. Iran-Contra Scandal THE PLAN • Sell arms to Iranian moderates (with Israeli help) • Secure release of hostages • Use profits to support Contra Rebels THE PROBLEM • Iran is our enemy! (remember Hostage Crisis (1979? Beirut - 1983???) • Boland Amendment (1982) – forbade assistance to Contras for purpose of overthrowing Nicaraguan Regime - Signed by R. Reagan

  16. Iran-Contra Scandal • Plan hatched by National Security Advisor: John Poindexter and his attache, Col. Oliver North using CIA • When uncovered, Independent Commission called by Reagan to investigate • Televised hearings 1986

  17. Ollie takes the fall!

  18. Iran-Contra Affair • Tower Commission found no direct involvement by Reagan • Reagan denied “arms for hostages” knowledge; admitted arms to Iran (for release of US hostages) • 14 Reagan Administration Officials indicted; 11 convicted …including Secretary of Defense • Poindexter convicted of multiple felonies • Most offenders pardoned by BUSH 1 • Still unclear what Reagan knew . . . NOT unclear what he SHOULD KNOW! • Becomes the “Teflon President”

  19. Soviet Union • The center of evil in Reagan’s World • No negotiations with USSR in first terms • 2nd Term: Mikhail Gorbachev arrives • Tone changes

  20. “Gorby” was a reformer! • Glasnost – “openness” • Perestroika – “decentralization” of Soviet economy • Proposed massive cuts in Soviet arms • Wanted to “deal” with USA “This is a man we can deal with.” - PM Margaret Thatcher

  21. SDI(Strategic Defense Initiative) • Space-centered laser technology • Build an “umbrella” of protection to stop incoming missiles • “Star Wars” . . . A fantasy that got the Soviet’s attention?

  22. INFIntermediate Nuclear Force Treaty • After some wrangling, Reagan and Gorby sign deal • Soviets cut missiles in Europe (where they had huge advantage) • USA agrees to halt deployment of Pershing missile systems

  23. 1989 SOVIET UNION FALLS Inevitable? Reagan’s Steady Pressure? (around the world)

  24. Summary • CLEAR VISION • ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS

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