ASSIGNMENT | Modern, U.S. Foreign Policy Doctrines

Since the 1900s most U.S. presidents have explained their foreign policy goals and interests through the use of a presidential, foreign policy doctrine. From Washington\’s Proclamation of Neutrality to the Bush doctrine of military preemption, presidents have introduced foreign policy doctrines to best serve U.S. interests abroad.

Many foreign policy doctrines such as the Monroe, Truman, and Bush doctrines dictated wholesale diplomatic and military actions. In contrast to Truman’s doctrine of Cold War ‘containment’ the Bush doctrine stated that the United States will actively intervene overseas in order to safeguard American interests. U.S. military actions in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia demonstrate this new resolve.

Directions: Select one U.S. presidential, foreign policy doctrine.

Provide a brief summary of the foreign policy doctrine.
Explain the historical circumstances that produced the military doctrine.
Provide a specific example when the military doctrine was utilized.
Analyze the short term and long term result of this specific example.
Evaluate the foreign policy doctrine in terms of U.S. self-interest and America’s international reputation.
*Although you may pick any modern, presidential foreign policy doctrine relevant to this discussion – here are some notable, presidential foreign policy doctrines:

Truman Doctrine

Eisenhower Doctrine

Kennedy Doctrine

Johnson Doctrine

Nixon Doctrine

Reagan Doctrine

Clinton Doctrine

Bush Doctrine

Obama Doctrine

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Summary of President George W. Bush Doctrine
The Bush doctrine can be described as a revision to the U.S foreign policy that came in the wake of the 2001 September 11 attack. The change in policy came through a speech to the U.S congress just after the attack happened. In his declaration, the president stated categorically that the U.S will henceforth make do the difference between terrorists and those that harbor them. This statement was followed by the US invading Afghanistan. The doctrine was thereafter seen as permission to preemptive war against any country seen as a potential aggressor before potential attacks are carried out.
Historical Circumstance that Produced the Doctrine
As stated before, it is the 2001 September 11 attack that culminated in the presidential doctrine. In the attack, close to 3,000 Americans were killed by the Islamic…