Diplomatic history of the us since 1914 - Essay Example

1. Discuss the Nixon-Kissinger reaction to the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. What issues were at stake, both within the region and within the wider Cold War? How would you assess the success and/or consequences of Nixon and Kissinger’s handling of the Middle East crisis?The 1973 War between Israel and the Arab nations of Egypt and Syria is directly related to the Six-Day War that took place six years earlier. While the actual attrition is restricted to the middle-east region, the conflict has had broader implications for the then existing world order.

Also known as the Yom Kippur War or Ramadan War, the reasons for the initiation of the war are not purely local. In other words, cold-war tension was palpable during the war as a result of the United States support of Israel and the U.S.S.R.’s support of its rivals. Richard Nixon (the President) and Henry Kissinger (a senior member of the Nixon Administration) have had significant roles to play in the manner in which the war eventually played out. Both Nixon and Kissinger dealt with the situation in a cautious and diplomatic manner.

The Middle-east region offered economic advantages to its trading partners due to the abundant energy resources available in its terrain. More importantly, it is of strategic importance to both the super-powers, as maintaining dominance over the world order is not possible without controlling the region. By the end of the military conflict the cold-war power alignments had been altered. Egypt’s pre-war leaning toward the Soviet Union had weakened as a result of the war. The war also brought to light Syria’s support for Arabs.

By the end of the war, popular cynicism of the Israel government reached its peak both domestically and internationally, leading to the resignation of top leaders. On a more positive note, it had become the United States’ responsibility to ensure peace in the region; as a result of its increased dependency of resources in the Middle-east.2. what was the Nixon Doctrine, where and how was it implemented and how successful was it in advancing Nixon’s foreign policies?The Nixon Doctrine was presented to the American public on 25th July, 1969 by the then President Richard Nixon.

The doctrine had two important components to it – one pertaining to relationship with allies and the other regarding achieving world peace. Nixon stated in his address to the nation that the traditional allies of the United States should defend themselves without the latter’s military involvement. He also set an agenda for achieving world peace through a process of diplomacy. Later in the year Nixon’s explicated his doctrine thus:“First, the United States will keep all of its treaty commitments.

Second, we shall provide a shield if a nuclear power threatens the freedom of a nation allied with us or of a nation whose survival we consider vital to our security. Third, in cases involving other types of aggression, we shall furnish military and economic assistance when requested in accordance with our treaty commitments. But we shall look to the nation directly threatened to assume the primary responsibility of providing the manpower for its defense.”This three point doctrine first saw its implementation during the crisis in Iran.

Saudi Arabia, a long time ally of the U.S. benefited as a result of this change in American foreign policy. In the final analysis, the doctrine met with only partial success owing to the fact that American military and diplomatic assistance across the world (particularly in the middle-east) proved to aggravate the crisis in some cases.