Cold War Strategies Avoiding Nuclear War 1.Intervention • Containment by military means 2.Détente • Containment by engagement and management of Soviet behavior
Feb 08, 2016
Cold War StrategiesAvoiding Nuclear War1. Intervention
• Containment by military means2. Détente
• Containment by engagement and management of Soviet behavior
1. Intervention1. Intervention
The Dilemma
How do you contain communist military aggression without
risking a nuclear war?
Korean War 1950-53Korean War 1950-53
• Limited WarLimited War– GoalsGoals– WeaponsWeapons– GeographyGeography– Talk and FightTalk and Fight
Viet Nam (after 1954)Viet Nam (after 1954)
Strategic LogicStrategic Logic
Domino TheoryDomino Theory
N. Vietnamese Strategy• Classic Guerrilla Warfare
– Mao Zedong– “a guerrilla wins by not losing”
• Insurgency• Backed by USSR
– “Wars of National Liberation”
Ho Chi Minh TrailHo Chi Minh Trail
Containment and Domestic Containment and Domestic PoliticsPolitics
JFKJFK LBJLBJ
The Dilemma of Viet NamThe Dilemma of Viet Nam• Can’t lose South Viet NamCan’t lose South Viet Nam• Can’t do what we need to winCan’t do what we need to win
– KoreaKorea– WW III?WW III?
• SolutionSolution– Limited WarLimited War– Coercive Diplomacy (Bombing)Coercive Diplomacy (Bombing)
From LBJ to NixonFrom LBJ to Nixon
LBJ says LBJ says Goodbye Nixon’s WarNixon’s War
Shadow of Viet NamShadow of Viet Nam• Limits of US Power and ForceLimits of US Power and Force• Wisdom of InterventionWisdom of Intervention• Difficulties of Nation BuildingDifficulties of Nation Building• NationalismNationalism• Public OpinionPublic Opinion
Congress challenges PresidentCongress challenges President
• War Powers Resolution 1973 (PL 93-War Powers Resolution 1973 (PL 93-148) 148) (from Federation of American Scientists , see Appendix (from Federation of American Scientists , see Appendix 3)3)
• Clark Amendment Clark Amendment to Arms Export to Arms Export Control Act 1976Control Act 1976
End of US Foreign Policy End of US Foreign Policy Consensus?Consensus?
Truman Doctrine: ConsensusTruman Doctrine: Consensus
LL R R
Post-Viet Nam: PolarizationPost-Viet Nam: Polarization
Viet Nam SyndromeViet Nam Syndrome
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/432/iraq-and-vietnam-a-crucial-http://pewresearch.org/pubs/432/iraq-and-vietnam-a-crucial-difference-in-opiniondifference-in-opinion
2. Détente
The Dilemma
How do you contain and compete with the USSR after Korea and Viet Nam
Cuban Missile Crisis 1962Cuban Missile Crisis 1962
Nixon and His Key Foreign Nixon and His Key Foreign Policy AdviserPolicy Adviser
• Nixon and Henry KissingerNixon and Henry Kissinger
Nixon-Kissinger Decision MakingNixon-Kissinger Decision Making
RN-HAK ProcessRN-HAK Process
Nixon
Kissinger
NSC Staff
Why Détente?Why Détente?
• Strategic parityStrategic parity• Sino-Soviet SplitSino-Soviet Split• Viet Nam SyndromeViet Nam Syndrome
Strategic Parity• Stockpiles
Sino-Soviet SplitSino-Soviet SplitUSSRUSSR
NikitaNikita LeonidLeonidKhrushchevKhrushchev BrezhnevBrezhnev1956-19641956-1964 1964-19821964-1982
PRCMao Zedong
1949-1976
Viet Nam SyndromeViet Nam SyndromeNixon recognizes this:Nixon recognizes this:• Nixon Doctrine Nixon Doctrine
– Remarks July 25, 1969 (see Q and A)– Address to the nation, Nov. 3, 1969
DetenteDetente
1.1. Still containmentStill containment2.2. New Goal: Change USSR New Goal: Change USSR
behaviorbehavior3.3. Old-school Balance of PowerOld-school Balance of Power
1.1. Arms Control PolicyArms Control PolicyStrategic Arms Limitation Talks, May 1972Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, May 1972• Interim Agreement on Offensive Arms• Anti-Ballistic Missile TreatyAnti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
2. Triangular Diplomacy2. Triangular Diplomacy
USUS
USSRUSSR PRCPRC
Kissinger to China, July 1971Kissinger to China, July 1971
Nixon-Mao Summit in China, Nixon-Mao Summit in China, February 1972February 1972
Shanghai CommuniqueShanghai Communique
China and TaiwanChina and Taiwan
Detente SuccessesDetente Successes• Management of arms raceManagement of arms race• Management of US-Soviet global Management of US-Soviet global
competitioncompetition• Opening to ChinaOpening to China• Nixon hailed as a foreign policy geniusNixon hailed as a foreign policy genius• Kissinger wins Nobel Peace PrizeKissinger wins Nobel Peace Prize
Détente Collapses:Ford and Carter
Carter Human Rights FocusBut…But…• IranIran• South KoreaSouth Korea• ChinaChina
SALT IISALT II
Carter AdvisorsCarter AdvisorsSec State Cyrus VanceSec State Cyrus Vance NS Adv. Zbigniew BrzezinskiNS Adv. Zbigniew Brzezinski
Iranian RevolutionIranian RevolutionShah of IranShah of IranMohammed Reza PahleviMohammed Reza Pahlevi
Ayatollah Ruhollah Ayatollah Ruhollah KhomeiniKhomeini
November 4, 1979November 4, 1979
December 1979
““Arc of Crisis”Arc of Crisis”
Détente EndsDétente Ends• Carter Gets ToughCarter Gets Tough• SALT II DiesSALT II Dies• Defense BuildupDefense Buildup• Carter DoctrineCarter Doctrine• Rescue MissionRescue Mission
– Vance resignsVance resigns
Rescue Mission April 1980Rescue Mission April 1980