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A Comprehensive History of National Security Policy Since World War II

Will Ward

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Published in The Long War: A New History Of U S National Security Policy Since World War II

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The Long War: A New History of U.S. National Security Policy Since World War II

by Stephanie Carvin

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2417 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	603 pages

The end of World War II marked a watershed moment in the history of national security policy. The United States emerged from the war as the world's preeminent superpower, and its leaders faced a new set of challenges in safeguarding the nation's security. The Cold War, the rise of nuclear weapons, and the threat of terrorism were just a few of the factors that would shape national security policy in the decades to come.

The Early Years of the Cold War

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two dominant superpowers. The two countries had very different ideologies and goals, and their rivalry quickly escalated into the Cold War. The Cold War was a period of intense competition between the two superpowers, but it was also a time of great danger. The threat of nuclear war hung over the world, and both sides were constantly on the lookout for ways to gain an advantage over the other.

The United States' national security policy during the early years of the Cold War was based on the doctrine of containment. The goal of containment was to prevent the spread of communism to other countries. The United States pursued this goal through a variety of means, including military alliances, economic aid, and covert operations. The Truman Doctrine, which was announced in 1947, was a key element of the containment policy. The Truman Doctrine stated that the United States would support any country that was threatened by communism. The Marshall Plan, which was also announced in 1947, was another key element of the containment policy. The Marshall Plan provided economic aid to Western Europe to help rebuild the region after World War II. The United States also established a number of military alliances during the early years of the Cold War, including NATO and SEATO. These alliances were designed to deter Soviet aggression and to provide a collective security framework for the West.

The Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a major turning point in the Cold War. In 1962, the Soviet Union secretly placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States. President John F. Kennedy demanded that the Soviets remove the missiles, and he ordered a naval blockade of Cuba. The two superpowers were on the brink of war, but in the end, the Soviets agreed to remove the missiles. The Cuban Missile Crisis showed the world the dangers of nuclear war, and it led to a new era of détente between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was a major turning point in American foreign policy. The United States intervened in Vietnam in 1954 to support the South Vietnamese government in its fight against the communist North Vietnamese government. The war quickly escalated, and the United States eventually sent over 500,000 troops to Vietnam. The war was a major disaster for the United States, and it led to a loss of confidence in the government and the military. The Vietnam War also had a major impact on the national security policy of the United States. The war led to a new emphasis on counterinsurgency warfare, and it also led to a new debate about the role of the United States in the world.

The End of the Cold War

The Cold War ended in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The end of the Cold War was a major turning point in world history, and it had a major impact on the national security policy of the United States. The United States no longer had to worry about the threat of a nuclear war with the Soviet Union, and it could now focus on other threats to its security. The end of the Cold War also led to a new debate about the role of the United States in the world.

The War on Terror

The War on Terror is a global campaign against terrorism that was launched by the United States in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The War on Terror has involved military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries. It has also involved the use of drones and other surveillance technologies. The War on Terror has been a controversial policy, and it has had a major impact on the national security policy of the United States.

The Future of National Security Policy

The future of national security policy is uncertain. The United States faces a number of new threats to its security, including terrorism, cyberattacks, and climate change. The United States will need to adapt its national security policy to meet these new threats. The future of national security policy will also be shaped by the rise of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and robotics. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize warfare, and they could also have a major impact on the national security policy of the United States.

The national security policy of the United States has evolved significantly since the end of World War II. The United States has faced a number of new threats to its security, and it has had to adapt its policy to meet these threats. The future of national security policy is uncertain, but the United States will need to continue to adapt its policy to meet new challenges.

The Long War: A New History of U.S. National Security Policy Since World War II

by Stephanie Carvin

4.8 out of 5