International Relations in Achieving Global Peace following Eisenhower’s Speech (Essay Sample)

International Relations in Achieving Global Peace following Eisenhower’s Speech
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International Relations in Achieving Global Peace following Eisenhower’s Speech
President Eisenhower, in his last farewell speech to the public, warns the American people on complexities resulting from the Second World War. During his tenure as president, he introduces new policies towards the national security (Keohane, 2007). Eisenhower identifies the need to build sufficient strength to fight the Cold War while maintaining the strength of the American economy. Secondly, he uses covert operations through the CIA to survey foreign governments and leaders who directly or indirectly associate with the Soviet Union. Thirdly, the former president relies more on nuclear weapons to discourage, and if possible, fight their enemies. Eisenhower’s defense policies aim at minimal spending from the national treasury in handling conventional forces, but he additionally increases the budget nuclear weapons and the air force (Miller Center of Public Affairs, n.d). As an economist, Eisenhower shows concern regarding the national budget and also the increased growth of the American defense structure from the time of election until the end of his tenure in office (Kegley, 2007). His security budget remains high, but it never exceeds half the budget allocation. Compromising national security results to loss of lives and destruction of property. Consequently, a threat towards foreign diplomacy is a threat towards national security.
The complex interaction of political, monetary and ideological factors drive the relations between the Soviet Union and the United States (Walt, 1998). This complexity prompts cautious collaborations that result in bitter superpower competition throughout the years. The obvious contrasts in the political frameworks of the two nations frequently keep them from achieving a mutual comprehension on the main strategy issues and bring the two States closer to war for example in the case of the Cuban missile launch crisis (Morgan, 2006). Initially, the American government opposes the ideology of communism and the way the Soviet leaders take Russia out of the First World War. Despite the assistance America offers the Soviet Union in providing famine relief food during the early 1920’s, both countries did not establish political associations until 1933 (Aron, 1967). This diplomatic relation also extends to the establishment of business links between American firms in the Soviet Union during the early 1920’s.
After the presidential inauguration for Eisenhower, the death of Stalin brings significant changes towards international policy in the Soviet republic (Arnold, 1994). Stalin’s successors initiate dialogues to settle the differences between the east and west to strengthen the arms race. The new Kremlin cites this association as peaceful coexistence; however, Eisenhower is still skeptical (Arnold, 1994). The tension between Russia and America eases during the Geneva Summit in 1945 however they fail to produce treaties on arms controls among other global issues (Moravcsik, 1997). This fall apart made the two countries have a thirty-year fall apart, and in the early 1970’s, the Soviet Union proclaims the dйtente policy (Moravcsik, 1997). This policy aims at increasing disarmament and economic cooperation with the West. The 1979 invasion of Afghanistan brews tension between the two nations due to issues on human rights and the Soviet invasion. The pressure continues until the 1989-1991 constitutional changes, which leads to the collapse of the communist system (Arnold, 1994). After the fall of the communist regime, a new friendship emerges between America and Russia, together with new countries of the former Soviet Union.
Eisenhower indicts the Cold War enthusiastically with hopes of enhancing the relationship between the Soviet Union and America. He often depends on clandestine activity to abstain becoming liable for the disputable intercessions (Walt, 1998). He trusts that the CIA is a compelling instrument to counter Marxist extension and to help allied rйgimes. CIA strategies are sometimes unpalatable, as they include subversion, offering bribes and even death endeavors (Holsti, 1995). In any case, Eisenhower approves these activities, even as he keeps up conceivable deniability by carefully disguising all possible evidence that links the U.S. involvement. Disguising is to deny any obligation regarding the events that happen (Kem, 2007). Eisenhower approves the CIA to manage an issue in Iran, during his first year in office. The Iranian-American conflict began during the Truman administration. The Iranian parliament, in 1951, nationalizes the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (Nye, 1990). The oil company is under a British partnership that controls the country's oil production. The British government strikes back with more financial weight, which creates devastation with Iran's accounts, but the current Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh declines to yield (Jablonsky, 1997). Eisenhower worries about the merger between the Iranian Communists and the government, and the ability of the prime minister to undermine Sha Mohammed Reza, a strong anti-communist ally. The CIA, in 1953, helps to overthrow Mossadegh's legislature and aides in reestablishing the Shah's power (Morgan, 2006). In the fallout of this undercover activity, emerging courses of action give U.S. partnerships an equivalent portion to the British in the Iranian petroleum industry.
After a period of one year, the CIA overthrows the voted legislature of Guatemala (Smith-Windsor, 2000). Together with his top counsels, Eisenhower stress out that President Jacobo Arbenz Guzmбn is willing to collaborate with the local Communists, despite the fact that they have limited roles in the administration (Miller Center of Public Affairs, n.d). Recent research shows that Arbenz is a Marxist, but he shares his ideologies with few friends. Arbenz also trusts that Guatemala, due to its poor economic advancement, requires substantial change before it is ready to join other Communist nations (Ray & Kaarbo, 2005). Arbenz's land reform program is a step towards modernizing Guatemala in addition to making the conditions for a possible Marxist state. However, the land reforms agenda creates solid resistance because it involves reallocating extensive tracts from the United Fruit Company and redistributing them to landless employees (Miller Center of Public Affairs, n.d). These peasants make up a vast share of the Guatemalan populace. Arbenz purchases military weapons from Czechoslovakia because the American the regime denies Guatemala access to U.S. army provisions, in the end, this move heightens America’s fear. Eisenhower is not ready to jeopardize American safety in a region where the United States has, for a while, been the dominating power (Morgan, 2006). The CIA help counter-revolutionaries to drive Arbenz from power in June 1954. Guatemala appeals to the United Nations regarding the insurgencies, however, the American government denies any involvement (Kem, 2007).
Nuclear weapons play a disputable part in some of Eisenhower's diplomatic activities, for example, the President's push to end the Korean War (Holsti, 1995). Eisenhower maintains his promise of touring Korea after the election, but he travels before the inauguration ceremony. His trip does not give him reasonable doubt to end the war, in the process, U.S endeavor to warn China that the war may extend towards their side and at worse the use of nuclear weapons (Ray & Kaarbo, 2005). Also, Stalin’s successors in the Soviet Republic lament over Eisenhower’s tactics and press for the end of the war. Both countries come up with concessions on the topic of repatriating detainees of war and the peace talks become effective mid-1953 (Smith-Windsor, 2000). Both sides make concessions on the theme of the repatriation of inmates of war, and the peace negotiation became active in July 1953. Korea stayed partitioned along the 38th parallel, which is a similar boundary from the time the war started in 1950. The American and Chinese relations remain edgy and unfriendly because of the Korean War (Morgan, 2006). Eisenhower, similar to Truman, refuses to recognize China but instead, he continues to support the Taiwan government. The Congress grants Eisenhower power to use military force in the Taiwan Strait after the Chinese administration takes control of the Mazu and Jinmen Islands (Arnold, 1994). The two islands have no real value. However, they are a symbol of national heritage, which the Nationalists and Chinese government claim ownership. Eisenhower threatens to use nuclear weapons against its enemies in case the war in East Asia continues (Schelling, 2008). The Chinese invasion ended in April 1954. However, it is no clear whether their backing down is as a result of Eisenhower’s threats or an administrative choice (Roskin, 1994). The Chinese rules argue that they can withstand losses emerging from America’s nuclear attacks.