Policemen of the work final paper

Running head: Policemen of the World Thesis and Outline: 1

Policemen of the World Thesis and Outline

David Carrasquillo

Professor: Lyndsey Claro

Course: Contemp. U.S. History

5/24/2014

Policemen of the World Thesis and Outline 2

Policemen of the World Thesis and Outline

The U.S. has taken on the responsibility of international policing due to its superpower

status that it has gained through historical aspects, which have enabled it to mediate in solving

international problems. This relegates it to the status of policemen of the world.

The international events are vital as they highlight the impact of foreign policy in dealing

with situations. Involvement of the U.S. into international matters shows the power that the

nation has in dealing with challenging situations. As a result, the claim that the U.S. is the

world’s policeman is fortified.

Real-life International Incidents

In the War against Afghanistan and the continued air and missile strikes, the search for

Al-Qaeda hierarchy led to the bombing of the whole nation and taking over much of the oil

operations, the same can be said of Libya where the uprising against Libyan Dictator Gaddafi

provided US with the opportunity to conduct air strikes aiding rebels to oust the leader.

International Events Linked to a Foreign Policy after the Civil War

1. The International Atomic Energy Agency inspected weapons programs discovered in

Iraq, Iran, and North Korea, which were against the nuclear nonproliferation treaty signed by 187

countries that outlaws the production of mass nuclear weapons (Combs, 2012).

2. In 2014, the U.S. and other nations imposed sanctions, and provided military and

financial aid to Ukraine in their efforts to impose the foreign policy that is related to the 1997

treaty of friendship and cooperation between Russia and Ukraine (Combs, 2012).

Policemen of the World Thesis and Outline 3

3. Another major involvement was in the Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991 which was to

force Iraq out of Kuwait. Later, there was the US led NATO invasion in Kosovo which was to

end the ethnic cleansing atrocities being carried out. Recent involvements by the US in its super

policeman role have been in Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq.

Aspects of US history since 1865 that has led to the US’s rise as a world super power

policeman.

1. Economic growth through international trade, industrialization, and invention, such as

building the Panama Canal (Kellogg, 2008).

2. America’s strong diplomatic skills that allow it to mediate in conflict situations such as

the conflict between Ukraine and Russia (Kellogg, 2008).

3. U.S. strong military and international diplomacy that was enforced under Roosevelt

(Kellogg, 2008).

International incidents since World War II where America has taken on a policing role.

1. U.S. raid on Somali territory to capture Nazih Abdul, an Al Qaeda militant in 2013

(Mickolus & Simmons, 2011).

2. In 2014, America collaborated with Mexico to capture to capture drug Lord Joaquin

Guzman, “El Chapo”, who headed the most powerful drugs organization in Mexico (Fox News,

2014).

3. U.S. infiltrated into Libya to calm political unrest caused by Muhammad Gaddafi in

2011 (Fawcett, 2013).

Policemen of the World Thesis and Outline 4

Driving Forces that led to International Policy Decisions.

Modern factor which has led to the making of foreign policies which have perpetuated

US role as a world policeman is Terrorism. The increase in the number of terrorist attacks on US

soil and its interests. Policies such as the Patriotic Act have been adopted as a result of this.

1. September 2001 terrorism attack on the U.S is the main reason as to why the U.S.

infiltrated on the Somali territory to capture Al Shabaab militants.

2. Mexico is the major supplier of illegal drugs to the U.S, which has led to a rise in

criminal activities in the U.S.

3. Atrocities committed against the Libyan people such as genocide, dictatorship, and

infringement of human rights (Fawcett, 2013).

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References.

Combs, J. A. (2012). The history of American foreign policy from 1895 (4th ed.). Armonk, N.Y.:

M.E. Sharpe, Inc.

Drug lord 'El Chapo' Guzman captured in Mexico. (2014, February 22). Fox News. Retrieved

May 24, 2014, from http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/02/22/drug-lord-el-chapo-

guzman-captured-in-mexico-report-says/

Fawcett, L. L. (2013). International relations of the Middle East (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford

University Press.

Kellogg, W. O. (2008). Barron's AP United States history 2008 (8th ed.). Hauppauge, N.Y.:

Barron's Educational Series.

Mickolus, E. F., & Simmons, S. L. (2011). The terrorist list. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Praeger

Security International.