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The Cold War (Ends in 92)
The Cold War was extremely influential to American foreign policy. The Cold War strengthened US defense policies, as well as established a focus on the containment of those who share communist viewpoints. Overall, the Cold War was a time of foreign aggression by the united States. -
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Vietnam War (Rolls into the 70's)
The Vietnam War ended when the American public lost confidence in the war. The outcome of Vietnam detracted from the sentiments expressed by the Cold War, reducing America's focus on aggression. -
Reagan's War on Drugs
Reagan's war on drug use in the United States went beyond our own borders. Reagan pushed to lock down our connection to Mexico and South America, as he believed the countries in those areas were smuggling drugs into the United States. The war on drugs was later continued by George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton thereafter. -
Strategic Defense Initiative proposed (Effects on the Future)
The SDI (or Star Wars) was an initiative designed to expand the United States' defensive arsenal. Although it was rejected, it set a precedent moving forward, that has increased our focus on long range defensive weaponry, preparing our nation for potential military threats. -
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The Gulf War
The Gulf War changed Foreign Policy in a very unique fashion. This war showed America's new focus on the utilization of Private Contractors to fight our ground wars, as well as a new focus on the capture of strategic economic positons- such as the many fruitful oilfields of the Persian Gulf. -
September 11th Crisis
The 9/11 attacks jump started the United States' war on terror in the Middle East. This event served as a rallying cry for military recruitment as well, as many young men and women joined up for a chance to carry out justice. These attacks set a series of events into motion that have resulted in the US involvement in Middle Eastern politics to this day. -
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The War in Iraq
The invasion of Iraq began after the United States was informed that Saddam Hussein, the dictator of Iraq and leader of the Taliban, was harboring our primary target: Osama Bin Laden. This war should the renewed American aggression kick started by the 9/11 attacks. -
Assassination of Osama Bin Laden
The assassination of Osama Bin Laden was carried out by DEVGRU operatives shortly after the majority of US ground forces were extracted from the Middle East. This event served as an end of an era in the War on Terror, as Bin Laden was responsible for 9/11. However, the US Army did not conclude airstrikes after Bin Laden was killed, as ISIS quickly picked up his slack; the War on Terror was not over. -
Barrack Obama Rescinds the Cuban Travel Ban
Cuba remained isolated as long as Castro was still in power. Even after his reign ended in 2011, it took 5 years before President Obama lifted the travel and trade bans on Cuba. The removal of these bans showed that Obama had loosened American foreign policy for the time being. -
The Early Presidency of Donald Trump
President Trump has worked to establish a greater level of control over the United States borders, through his various travel bans and proposal for a more heavily enforced immigration policy.