Reagan Foreign Policy

Reagan DoctrineThe 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

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

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

Grenada

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

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

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)

El Salvador

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

“Freedom Fighters” or Right Wing Slaughter?

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

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

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

Iran-Contra Scandal

THE PLAN1. Sell arms to Iranian moderates (with Israeli help)2. Secure release of hostages3. Use profits to support Contra Rebels

THE PROBLEM4. Iran is our enemy! (remember Hostage Crisis (1979?

Beirut - 1983???)5. Boland Amendment (1982) – forbade assistance to

Contras for purpose of overthrowing Nicaraguan Regime - Signed by R. Reagan

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

Ollie takes the fall!

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”

Soviet Union

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

“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

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?

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

1989

SOVIET UNION FALLSInevitable?

Reagan’s Steady Pressure?(around the world)

Summary

1. CLEAR VISION2. ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS