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BY THE MID 20TH CENTURY 2

By the Mid-20th Century

Strayer University

The superpower status of the United States of America ensures that she is constantly intervening militarily in countries where conflicts occur. In the years gone-by, the US used to launch its own military actions against states that they considered despotic. Nevertheless, the dynamics of international politics nowadays dictate that the United Nations endorses any military interventions. Even with such changes, the US still plays the leading role. The military incursions by the United States are a subject that has always courted controversy whenever it is instigated. In the recent past, the United States has ha military activities in the Libya and Syria alongside its allies, a phenomenon that stirred opposition both abroad and home. However, the interventions are necessary as the objective is normally to try and bring stability in escalating situations.

US Interventions in Last Five Years

In the year 2010, the Arab world was faced with an unprecedented level of uprising that was christened the Arab Spring. Various countries were the subject of expressions of dissatisfaction by an enraged populace (Haas, 2013). Libya, under Muamar Gaddafi, was the most hit by the uprising. This led to the intervention by the NATO forces, which were led by the United States. The US as has been the case in the past led the airstrikes that finally ousted the incumbent Gaddaffi.

Moreover, the United States is currently involved in the complex Syrian conflict. The intervention in Syria was warranted due to a multitude of factors. In a classical play of interventionism, which is the foreign policy that the United States has pursued since World War II, the US started by sending in military personnel to aid the Syrian rebels who were fighting against the dictator Basar Al Assad. Mr. Assad had been accused in using chemical gas against the people of Alepo. According to the International Criminal Court, this is a crime against humanity. Secondly, the threat of the caliphate group known as the Islamic State (ISIS) compelled the US, together with its allies, to start a series of airstrikes against the group in Syria.

Factors that Made the US a Superpower

The United States is the sole superpower in the world. The status was achieved via a lot of struggle and even bloodshed. However, there are factors that cemented this status for the US. Firstly, the collapse of USSR was fundamental to America’s quest of becoming a world superpower. Secondly, the practice of capitalism. Thirdly, the Central Intelligence Agency and its brilliant strategies also played a key role.

US Policing Role Since World War II

In the aftermath of the World War II, the US has partaken of policing duties in various situations. The first role involved the conflicts between the Koreas. The first Iraqi war in the 1990s was another situation that the US policed (Herring, 2008). Further, there is the peacekeeping mission in Serbia. The US also intervened in Lebanon to quell the Suez Crisis. Finally, the Dominican Civil Crisis also attracted the attention of the US.

Policies That Influence Interventionism

The first policy is the need to protect civilians during wars as was the case in Dominican Republic. The interventions are influenced by the need to compel the warring parties to sign treaties that will stop wars. The desire to create democratic governments through elections also influences interventions (Spies, 1995). Economic interests as well play a major role in influencing the USs interventions in various conflicts.

References

Haas, M. (2013). The united states and the Arab spring: Threats and opportunities in a revolutionary era. New York, NY: Westview Press.

Herring, G. C. (2008). From colony to superpower: U.s. foreign relations since 1776. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Spies, K. B. (1995). Isolation Vs. intervention: Is America the world's police force? New York, NY: Twenty First Century Books.