Policemen of the World
Introduction
Since it has gained its independence after the Civil War, the United States of America became the force to be reckoned with as the world’s dominant force in the international arena. Many nations look up to the United States in any given issue: may it be political, economic or social in nature. Considering these circumstances, the US is often regarded by many as the world’s “policemen” and for the US, such responsibility is done in full confidence and dedication each time an issue arises around the globe. Only recently, the US has deployed its forces in Afghanistan in 2010 and the Korean Peninsula in 2013. The involvement of the country has been debated upon by many experts considering the possible agenda of the United States, however, it is undeniable that the United States has been useful in maintaining the peace in areas it has been involved. America’s continuous actions as a ‘policemen of the world’ as seen in Afghanistan and Korea can be traced to its desire to protect the human rights of all people after the events of the anti-slave trade movements in the country.
International events associated with national policies after the Civil War
For the past five years, several international events have prompted the United States to act due to its relations with its foreign policy created after the civil war. The United States has long been an advocate of human rights protections around the globe since its own experience in the slave trade in the 18th to 19th century and has included it on its foreign policy since then. Anti-slavery rallies and human rights campaigns have been done throughout the country even at the present time such as the 2011 event where discussions over the violations done during the civil war were done (Nye, 2002). America had intervened immediately in the resulting skirmishes against the talks to stop slavery around the globe and paved the way for the freedom of the people forced under this practice. Anti-slavery rallies and American peacekeeping forces were sent to ensure that peace is sustained while calling for the end of the slave trade.
America’s intentions on sustaining human rights around the globe was seen again in 2012 when the Arab Spring had begun in the Middle East. The Syrian leg of the crisis had called for international action, especially the United States, because of the brutality used by the Syrian government towards usurpers and its people. America called in a peace deal between conflicting actors to ensure that brutality is ended in Syria, while they maintain military presence in the region. They also worked with the United Nations and the rest of the Middle Eastern nations to stop the continuous use of chemical weapons, pressuring the Syrian government . In addition to this event, the United States also acted as a police throughout the Middle East in order to establish the reconstruction process and usher the beginning of democracy in the region. America aimed to bring stability on the social, political and physical arena of the all the countries in the world. The war on reconstruction also intensified as different people had different attitudes towards the practice .
How the US rose as a world’s super-power and policeman
America slowly rose to power after it realized the importance of intervention as seen in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine War in 1898. The US declared war in Spain after it became clear to the Americans that Spain is “invading” its territory (Cuba and Puerto Rico) and the liberties of other nations (Philippines and Guam). The US military eventually managed to take Spain head on and made the Empire surrender (Lifton, 2003). Its victory over these wars managed to earn the country favors around the globe and showed to the world how effective their military system is in protecting the peace around the globe. It had also allowed the US to secure its national interests. The country had also fought against the Philippines to secure their control over the country. A win in this was would allow the United States to gain easy access to markets in China. This would also foster proper cooperation with China. The presidency of Roosevelt also contributed significantly towards making the State rise as a leading superpower. This made it possible for the state to get the priority in global decision making .
International incidents since World War II where America has taken a policing role
Currently, the United States is acting as the world’s police in areas like Afghanistan and the Korean Peninsula. In Afghanistan, the US is acting as a deterrent and strike force against the terrorists based in the region. The US troops immediately deployed in the region to assist in rescue and reconnaissance operations, bringing in equipment to help the Afghan forces drive away the terrorists. The US forces have also been the key in driving away the members of the Taliban from the region, as well as remove the presence of the Al Qaeda in the region. The US did not stop in its assistance in Afghanistan and even aided in domestic peace-keeping and trained Afghan police and military in order to ensure easy transition once America moves out of the country .
America had also been involved with the Korean Crisis which has been triggered by North Korea’s actions to cancel the armistice. The US immediately deployed its forces based in Okinawa, Japan and approached the Peninsula to ensure that no one would immediately resort to military resistance. The US troops served as a buffer in the region or a deterrent to ensure North Korea would not launch its nuclear weapons against any nation it threatened. American presence guaranteed that peace talks would be conducted between the North and South Koreas, ensuring that the conflict would not affect neighboring regions .
Driving forces that fueled international policy decisions of the US
America’s selflessness and its concern to the plight of others has enabled it to assess in nations in need such as Afghanistan and Korea. Their involvement had ensured that security is protected from terrorists and rogue states like in North Korea, beginning the first steps for peace talks and the establishment of democracy. In the case of Afghanistan, the US wished to secure Afghan security and prevent an uprising to occur much like in the rest of the Middle East. Second, the US did not wish to allow the Taliban to get further ground in the region after its attacks towards Americans. In the Korean crisis, America wanted to ensure the world would not be plunged back to World Wars and stop the possibility of repeating the incidents in Hiroshima and Nagasaki when the atomic bomb was used. America showcased their power and ability in solving crisis and ensured that with their help, they can sustain the peace around the globe.
Conclusion
Today, the United States remains active in the international community not just as a prominent voice in the political and economic arena, but also in the field of peacekeeping. While others believed the US should stay away on the issues of others, America’s influence no doubt allows people to stay secure and safe from any possible threat. As seen in Korea and Afghanistan, its presence enabled the conflicts to stop or pause momentarily while ensuring that democracy can be secured. Without the United States, it is possible the whole world would be plunged into war without someone to stop and placate both parties in reaching a compromise.
References
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Chanlett-Avery, E., & Rinehart, I. (2014). North Korea: U.S. Relations, Nuclear Diplomacy and Internal Situation. Washington, D.C.: US Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service.
Foner, E. (2011). Give me Liberty: An American History. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
Lifton, R. J. (2003). Superpower syndrome: America's apocalyptic confrontation with the world. New York, NY: Thunder's Mouth Press/Nation Books
Lovegrove, D. (2008). Jihad versus Global War on Terror (GWOT) - A Total War in the Making? Canadian Military Journal, 9(2), 40-50.
Nye, J. S. (2002). The paradox of American power: Why the world's only superpower can't go it alone. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
