Introduction: Cold War battleground -- The coming of the Cold War -- The United Nations and the Horn of Africa -- Forging the "special relationship" -- Self-determination and the New Frontier -- In the shadow of Vietnam -- Vital and peripheral interests -- Revolution in Ethiopia -- The era of the Vietnam syndrome -- The Ogaden War and the demise of détente -- Realignment and Reagan -- The end of the Cold War -- Somalia: from colonialism to terrorism
"This analysis of President Carter's foreign policy in the Horn of Africa demonstrates Carter's consistent approach to foreign affairs throughout his administration. It discusses the ways in which this policy dealt with such issues as human rights abuses, Cold War concerns including a strong Communist bloc presence, and the violation of international law"--Provided by publisher
"This analysis of President Carter's foreign policy in the Horn of Africa demonstrates Carter's consistent approach to foreign affairs throughout his administration. It discusses the ways in which this policy dealt with such issues as human rights abuses, Cold War concerns including a strong Communist bloc presence, and the violation of international law"--Provided by publisher
The failure of détente has been a popular theme among historians of American foreign policy, with opinions divided as to where the responsibility for this failure lies. A commonality among all points of view, however, is the importance of events in the third world, particularly in the "Arc of Crisis." One such event—the Ogaden War between Ethiopia and Somalia— prompted Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Carter's national security advisor, to comment that détente was "buried" in the Ogaden. His point was that Carter's new approach to the cold war was put to the test during the Ogaden War, and there the policy's untenability was proven. The policy's failure, in turn, encouraged Soviet adventurism, which further alienated the American public from Carter's attempt to fight the cold war. Carter's policy eventually led to the withdrawal of the SALT II (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) Treaty and, as Brzezinski claimed, the collapse of détente. This article discusses Carter's foreign policy toward the Ogaden War, considers the accuracy of Brzezinski's claim, and reaches conclusions regarding the role of the Carter administration in the demise of détente.
The failure of detente has been a popular theme among historians of American foreign policy, with opinions divided as to where the responsibility for this failure lies. A commonality among all points of view, however, is the importance of events in the third world, particularly in the 'Arc of Crisis.' One such event-the Ogaden War between Ethiopia and Somalia- prompted Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Carter's national security advisor, to comment that detente was 'buried' in the Ogaden. His point was that Carter's new approach to the cold war was put to the test during the Ogaden War, and there the policy's untenability was proven. The policy's failure, in turn, encouraged Soviet adventurism, which further alienated the American public from Carter's attempt to fight the cold war. Carter's policy eventually led to the withdrawal of the SALT II (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) Treaty and, as Brzezinski claimed, the collapse of detente. This article discusses Carter's foreign policy toward the Ogaden War, considers the accuracy of Brzezinski's claim, and reaches conclusions regarding the role of the Carter administration in the demise of detente. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Inc., copyright The American Academy of Political and Social Science.]
