American Values versus Low Intensity Conflict

摘要

America is confronted internationally by two sources of threats to her vital interests. One source is the Soviet Union and the other is non-Soviet regimes. To counter these threats an aggressive, interventionist foreign policy is often necessary. If the Soviet Union is the opponent, such a foreign policy is more easily justified and more generally supported by the American people than in the non-Soviet case. In a non-Soviet case, the Sandanista regime in Nicaragua, the Reagan administration has been unable to achieve majority popular support for the pro-insurgency, low intensity conflict which it has been waging there. A conflict with traditional American values is the primary reason for this failure. Examining the historical reasons for this clash including U.S. involvement in Nicaraguan affairs since 1850, the lingering effects of the 'Vietnam syndrome' and the Administration's overreliance on the military instrument of power, this paper analyzes the problem and makes recommendations for its solution.