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The Ladle And The Knife: Power Projection And Force Deployment Under Reagan, Mathew Kawecki
The Ladle And The Knife: Power Projection And Force Deployment Under Reagan, Mathew Kawecki
War, Diplomacy, and Society (MA) Theses
This thesis examines the nature and impact of the Reagan administration’s self-described projection of “peace through strength.” It argues that Reagan’s defense spending surge, “Star Wars” (SDI) missile shield policy, and 1983 invasion of Grenada gave the president confidence and political cover that allowed him to withdraw U.S. Marines from Beirut in early 1984. Analysts and commentators focus on his muscular power projection like defense spending, SDI, and the invasion of Grenada, but in practice Reagan exercised a high level of restraint in troop deployment. These projections of power and the avoidance of protracted war in Lebanon gave Reagan further …
Stop Talking About Sorrow: Nixon’S Communications Strategy After Lam Son 719, Dominic K. So
Stop Talking About Sorrow: Nixon’S Communications Strategy After Lam Son 719, Dominic K. So
War, Diplomacy, and Society (MA) Theses
March 1971 was tough for President Richard Nixon. The American people were tired of the Vietnam War, with many still recovering from the violent anti-war protests of 1970. Congress had just passed an amendment prohibiting U.S. ground troops from operating outside of the borders of South Vietnam. Both the public and secret negotiations with Hanoi were stalled. Confidential channels with Beijing and Moscow about diplomatic initiatives had gone cold. Moreover, Lam Son 719, the joint U.S. and South Vietnamese incursion into Laos that began in February, was turning out to be a failure. The operation, Nixon’s military gamble to prove …