Strayer
The international events that can be traced back in the past five years on foreign policy are; the super power U.S was to provide any humanitarian aid such food and clothing in parts of Africa such as in Somalia and Chad. In Chad, the US has recently sent out volunteer agencies such as Africare and VITA to help with the reconstruction efforts and the development of Chad. Volunteers were focused on helping the citizens understand English. In Somalia, the country has led efforts for the reconstruction of the country after the onset of the civil war. The US also severs as a sponsor for Somali recovery through the assistance of the International Monetary Fund to ensure that continuous aid enters the country. The United States has also been active in the operations of the United Nations .Aside from being one of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the United States also works under the flag of U.N as one of its peacekeeping troops in troubled areas around the globe. The US has led the peace-keeping missions in Libya and Syria the U. S troops have enabled the organization in its peace-keeping missions in Libya and Syria (Tupper, 2010).
America’s actions can be traced back since the 1865 around the end of the Civil War. According to Szayna et al (2007), from 1865 a number of aspects have led to the U.S becoming a super power such as: (1) after the fall of the Soviet Union U.S emerged as the victor, (2) in the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima that ended the WWII and (3) the ability of U.S to rebuilt its economy and infrastructure after WWII due to the spirit of capitalist. Although America had been a part of the victors in the First World War, the country around that period was a reluctant interventionist considering the fears lingering in the minds of many with regards to foreign affairs. However, when it entered the Second World War, the administration – under Franklin D. Roosevelt – stressed that America was not just fighting the war for itself, but it is also fighting for the rest of the world. The world discovered America’s hidden talent and became the major reason as to how the war finally ended in the Pacific. Many did not realize America would go to such lengths to stop the war, which has already affected countless of lives the process. However, it is also admitted that without America, the war could have taken a different turn. America was also considered by many as an influential leader to the extent it was able to rebuild economies and infrastructure both in their shores and in the affected territories, whilst ensuring peace is restored. With their success in World War II, the country was also able to ensure that further skirmishes or conflicts would not continue and it was able to paralyze Soviet movements for expansion (Szayna et al, 2007).
The most recent international incidents that America has taken the policing role are: (1) in Libya “Odyssey Dawn Operation”, (2) in Iraq war the “new darn operation” (3) Syria, (4) Haiti and Grenada. The major objectives driving the policy decisions on above international incidents are: (1) to protect American citizens in these countries, (2) extend the U.S personally interests, (3) protect the civilians of this countries from tyrannical governments, (4) prevent farther attacks of the U.S such in the case of Syria and finally, (5) Strive towards eliminating threats that can risk the world peace. In each incident, America’s actions were heavily criticized given the inconsistencies with the War on Terror and the locations of the operations as the Middle East is the largest oil producing region in the globe. However, America had stood by their creed in helping the entire world attain peace because without peace and democracy, the world would be in chaos and order is impossible. Americans also wished to intervene even if it is not needed or requested to save others from experiencing the same horror they have experienced when they were under the Civil War .
While people are slightly apprehensive over America’s constant attempts in interfering in other people’s affairs, America is the country everyone is depending on when it comes to crisis and controversies. Even without an official request, America’s aid and assistance is ready for all situations and can be deployed in just a couple of hours. Although it may be true that America may have political interests at stake in each country they become involved with, it is clear that America also wants peace and order to reign to stop the conflicts that threatens the world balance. Without the US, disputes and crisis would not be easily resolved or healed because any nation that may try would have to match the sheer power of America’s political, military and economic influence that allows it to become the world’s policemen.
References
Combs, J. (2012). The History of American Foreign Policy From 1895. New York: M.E. Sharpe.
Szayna, T. S., Eaton, D., & Richardson, A. F. (2007). Preparing the Army for stability operations: Doctrinal and interagency issues. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Arroyo Center.
Tupper, S. (2010). The US Military and Hydrogen in Missouri. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6442-5_9
