American Foreign Policy Midterm

14 Points

Woodrow Wilson’s plan for reconstruction after the end of WW1, proposed January of 1918. Included establishing a League of Nations, open diplomacy, freedom of navigation, openness of trade, reduction of arms, adjustment of colonial holdings and self-determination. Ultimately rejected by Congress over concerns of long-standing and permanent alliances.

2+4 Negotiations

Diplomatic talks held in 1990 that allowed Germany to reunite as one sovereign country. Included the two halves of Germany and the four nations involved in governing it during the transitional period. The German state also agreed to a final border with Poland.

Abraham Accords

United States brokered deals that attempted to normalize relations between Israel and other Arab countries, negotiated by Jared Kushner. The accords were signed by a variety of nations in 2020 and 2021.

Afghan Surge

A period negotiated by Barack Obama from 2009 to 2014, in which the United States attempted to stailize Afghanistan, counter terrorism, establish a legitimate government, and give humanitarian aid. The surge was originally set to end by 2011, which was publicly announced, leading to the Taliban to just play a waiting game. As soon as American troops pulled out, the Taliban took control within weeks.

Afghan Withdraw

Occurred in 2021 after lengthy negotiations with the Taliban under the Doha Pact. Biden never officially renegotiated the terms of the agreement, instead just pushing back the withdraw. By the summer of 2021, the Taliban controlled most of the country, with little resistance from any Afghan national forces. The situation was messy, with little allied coordination, military equipment was not properly destroyed and seized by the Taliban, and there was a lack of contingency forces in place.

AUKUS

A deal negotiated in September of 2021 between the US, UK, and Australia, in which Australia would buy nuclear submarines from the US and retrofit harbors to host their submarines. This superseded a preexisting deal with France and also helped greater United States presence in Asia.

Berlin Air Lift

An operation performed under Truman to help Berliners, as Soviets were unwilling to let in aid but would also not shoot down planes carrying aid. The operation was lifted in May 1949 and made the West realize the full extent ot Soviet hostility and facilitated the creation of NATO and West Germany as an official country.

Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing

Suicide bombings that occurred on October 23, 1983, that targeted French and United States aid trucks, an attack later linked to Hezbollah. By February of 1984, the marines had fully pulled out of Lebanon.

CAFTA-DR

A free-trade agreement signed between the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, signed in 2004.

Camp David Accords

A series of negotiations between the president of Egypt, Anwar Sadat, President Carter, and Israeli Prime Minister, Menachem, beginning on September 17th, 1978. The accords proposed self-autonomy for Palestinians and normalizations of relations with Egypt and Israel.

Camp David Summit II

Negotiations in 2000, which came close to a grand and unified peace agreement with a recognized Palestine. Ultimately the summit did not succeed but led to Jordan recognizing Israel as a free state in exchange for trade with the US, and Palestine was granted authority over their territory.

Carter Doctrine

Carter’s approach to foreign policy, declared in his 1980 state of the union address. He asserted that any attempt to gain power in the Persian Gulf would be seen as an assault on the United States, directed at the Soviet Union for their encroachment into the region.

CHIPS and science act

An act passed in 2022, under Joe Biden, which banned computer chips from being sold to China for fear that it would be used to malignant innovation. Wanted allies to comply with the act too.

Clinton Doctrine

Clinton’s justification for getting involved in Kosovo, he vowed that the United States would use military force to prevent mass killings anywhere in the world and proposed fixing problems through military involvement.

Coercive Diplomacy

A foreign policy strategy, relying on threats, sanctions, and limited military force to pressure an adversary to stop undesireable actions without going to full scale war.

Counterinsurgency doctrine

Developed under Obama, the US would use military power to foster trust with locals and in return, the locals will work with the military to provide intel into terrorist organizations and rogue actors. The military would also provide humanitarian aid and resources in Iraq. `

Cuban Missile Crisis

A crisis under Kennedy, in October of 1962, in which the Soviet Union had placed missiles on Cuba and there were threats of deployment. This was the closest the united States ever was to full war with the USSR.

Detente

A period of time in the 1970s that was marked by a relaxation of tension on both sides of the Cold War. China was “opened” for trade with the US, which created a rift between China and the Soviet Union. There were also a series of arms control negotiations, starting in 1972, which solidified US-Soviet nuclear deterrance.

American Isolationism

Following WW1, there was a growing belief that the war was fought against American interests and rather for corporate interests. Neutrality acts were passed to disengage from European conflicts.

America First

Trump’s 2016 platform in which he vowed to focus on American interests and said that all the international system must serve the American people.

Geoeconomics

Bush (41)’s policy of democratic enlargement through economics to spread liberal principles. The US promoted free trade in newly freed ex-communist countries and believed that it had an obligation to expand prosperity in the free world. The policy created NAFTA, APEC, WTO, G8

Global War on Terror

The United States’ response to 9/11 in which the US fought rogue states to create a safer world for democracy. Security institutions were transformed for greater intelligence and control internationally and domestically.

Grand Strategy of the US

A grand strategy of US foreign and diplomatic policy to maintain economic and national security

Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions

August 7, 1964- a resolution passed after North Vietnamese forces encroached upon US naval presence in the Gulf of Tonkin. The resolution allowed the US to get involved in the war and target North Vietnam.

INF treaty

a 1987 arms control agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union that banned all land-based ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 310 to 3,420 miles

Inflation Reduction Act

U.S. federal law signed on August 16, 2022, focused on clean energy, healthcare reform, and corporate tax changes

Iran-Contra Affair

a political scandal during the Reagan administration in the 1980s involving secret U.S. arms sales to Iran and the illegal diversion of proceeds to fund the Contras, a rebel group in Nicaragua

Israel-Hamas War

Following the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7th, 2023, Israel began to engage in all-out war with Hamas. In response, the US granted over $9 billion of aid to defend Israel militarily and diplomatically. There were struggles for a ceasefire until 2025.

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

A treaty negotiated with Iran in 2015, in which Iran agreed to be monitored and open nuclear power facilities for global inspection. In return, the US lifted Iranian sanctions.

Marshall Plan (ERP)

A plan in which US aid was given in grants and loans to help rebuild Europe over a four year period, following WW2. All powers had to work together and participate in cross-border cooperation. Stalin forbade any Soviet country or ally from participating.

Mission Creep

The response to the 1993 interventions in Somalia after the Battle of Mogadishu, which transformed into UN desire to restore government and eliminate warlords for development

Monroe Doctrine

a foundational United States foreign policy articulated by President James Monroe during his annual address to Congress on December 2, 1823. It established the entirety of the western hemisphere as a protectorate of the US and wanted to rid it of European influence.

NAFTA/USMCA

The North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, established under Bush in 1992, which increased globalization and free-trade across the world. Was later replaced by the United-States Mexico Canada Agreement in 2020 under President Trump.

National Economic Council (NEC)

a governmental agency under the president, established in 1993, which serves to advise the president on foreign and domestic economic issues.

Neoconservatives

Former democrats who were disillusioned by democrat foreign policy, who believed that the US should use military force to shape the world in 2001, following 9/11

National Security Act of 1947

Created the Department of Defense with the air force and the chiefs of staff. Established the National Security Council and Central Intelligence Agency. This was the first permanent intelligence agency while the world was at peace to help the government manage global commitments

NSC 68

Written by Paul Nitze in 1950, a review of. the US’s place in the world and a response to Chinese communism. It recommends that the US increase defense spending, re-up their weapons and bolster international presence, which resulted in a tripling in the defense budget.

New World Order

Bush (41)’s response to the end of the Cold War, new American leadership, and international cooperation as supported by the US.

Neutrality Acts of the 1930s

Acts passed before the US got involved in WW2, in attempts to limit US entanglement with the war. Prohibited trade, loans, and relations with countries at war.

Operation Absolute Resolve

The operation early in 2026, in which the US captured Maduro, his wife, and high ranking Venezuelan officials. The operation established Delcy Rodriguez as the new president, who pledged his loyalty to Trump.

Operation Allied Force

a 78 day NATO aerial bombing campaign against Yugoslavia during the Kosovo war in 1999 to counter human rights abuses and ethnic cleansing.

Operation Desert Storm

The combat phase of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 which sought to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

Operation Epic Fury

an operation in February of 2026 in which the US wiped out the Iranian missile program, attempted to stop the funding of proxy terrorist groups, and support Israel in their war. It evolved to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as well. Eventually it ended the Iranian regime.

Operation Iraqi freedom

The US-led military coalition and occupation of Iraq which began in 2003 and ended in 2011. Sought to disarm Iraq with weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Operation Just Cause

the US military invasion of Panama in 1989 to depose Panama’s dictator and bring him to the US for trial.

Operation Restore Hope

Bush’s encroachment into Somalia, a co-op with the UN which expanded marine presence and gave aid to Somalians.

Operation Unified Protector

A NATO-ran military campaign that ran in 2011 in Libya to help establish a protection force for the rebels. The idea was that the US would “lead from behind”. Once the government is overthrown, no peacekeeping force is established and Libya falls into civil war.

Pivot to Asia

Obama’s 2011 strategy to increase US-Asian trade and recognized the rise of China as a problem in the Pacific. Gave economic, diplomatic, and military resources to Asia due to a fear of China dominating and a loss of US influence. Small Asian nations were at a disadvantage when negotiating with China.

Established the Trans Pacific Partnership and deployed naval forces to reassure asian allies.

Preemptive war

the strategic use of military force to strike an adversary first when an attack is perceived as imminent, often implemented to counter terrorism. Used to justify action in Iraq in 2003.

Policy of Democratic Enlargement

Clinton’s strategy of diplomacy from 1993-2001. He sought to consolidate and spread liberal economic principles, expand NATO to provide more stability and peace, and consolidate humanitarian efforts.

Reagan Doctrine

United States foreign policy of the 1980s that provided overt and covert aid to anti-communist resistance movements to roll back Soviet influence globally

Roosevelt Corollary

Issued December 1904, concerned with Pacific assets and colonies. Roosevelt militarized the Monroe Doctrine to exercise international police power and justify his interventionism.

Six Party Talks

were a series of multilateral negotiations held from 2003 to 2008 to end North Korea's nuclear weapons program

Shanghai Communique

1972. China and US oppose Soviet hegemony in Asia. US pledges adherence to the one-China policy and pulled forces out of Taiwan to de-recognize it. Cultural and educational exchanges, open up work, study, and tourism in China. Beginning of normalizations of trade relations with China. The US provides China with weapons and intelligence to provoke the Soviets.

Smart diplomacy

a foreign policy approach that combines hard power (military and economic coercion) with soft power (culture, values, and persuasion) tailored to specific situations

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty

1972, a series of negotiations to reduced the amount of weapons on both sides of the cold war.

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

bilateral nuclear arms control agreements between the United States and the Soviet Union (later Russia) designed to limit and reduce strategic offensive arms in 1991

Strategic Defense Initiative

a proposed U.S. missile defense system announced by President Ronald Reagan on March 23, 1983 which would create a multi-layered shield over the US to combat missiles

Syria Red Line Crisis

In August of 2013, the Assad regime in Syria was deemed illegitimate and worthy of being ousted, as they used chemical weapons against rebellions. Obama issued a red line, prohibiting the use of chemical weapons, which was crossed and the US prepared for Syrian invasion. Russia proposed monitoring Assad for chemical weapons, which the US agrees to, thus demoralizing the rebels and strengthening the Assad.

The Long Telegram

Written in 1946 by diplomat George Kennan, which supported and proposed containment theory as communism fell upon Eastern European states. He wrote that communist ideology necessitates war against the US and other capitalist powers, and that the US should use counter force to prevent an invasion

Truman Doctrine

Issued March 12, 1947, in which president Truman offerred support to the Greek and Turkish governments against communism and for the government. Truman used Kennan’s containment theory to justify aid given to the governments and believed that supporting free people and governments would prevent the domino effect of communism.

Ukraine War 2022

In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and launched a full-scale war for the purpose of annexxing the territory. In conjunction with NATO, the US provided an influx of aid to Ukraine in the form of lethal and nonlethal weapons and sanctions against Russia, which most UN countries soon followed.

Vandenberg Resolution

Passed in July of 1948, which effectively ended American Isolationism. It encouraged the president to explore foreign permanent alliances

Vietnamization

Occurred under the Paris Peace Talks of 1973 in which Nixon proposed ways to get out of the Vietnam war. Included establishing a legitimate government in South Vietnam and a way to remove US involvement in Vietnam

Washington’s farewell address

Written in 1796 in which Washington laid out his hopes for the future of America. He directly advised against long-term standing alliances.