U.S./Middle East Relations
Storyboard-Text
- To counteract Soviet influence in the waning years of the Cold War, Regan ordered a large build-up of domestic defenses. He took a firm stance against what he deemed the "evil empire", aiming to prevent communist influence in the Western Hemisphere. In his second term, however, Regan developed good relations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. They worked together to reduce arms
- Initially, because of Regan's military build-ups, the Soviet Union criticized him heavily. In addition, his defense spending greatly increased the federal deficit. Programs like his Strategic Defense Initiative, or SDI, aimed at improving military defense technology. Yet, with his positive relations later on, Regan helped bring peace between the Soviets and America, which won him much praise.
- In attempt to undermine the Marxist-communist government in Nicaraguan, the US trained counterrevolutionaries, or Contras to combat them. The training was funded by secret arms sales to Iran that were meant to encourage the release of American hostages. All of this was in the name of fighting and overthrowing communist influence in the Americas, Regan believed these were threats to American interests.
- In 1894, Congress discovered information about these secret missions, and banned aid to the Contras. The actions and accusations then became public in 1986. Regan's administration faced much criticism, and ultimately, Regan claimed no knowledge of the missions, took all of the blame.
- Regan's speech at the Brandenburg gate had little impact or significance at the time. However, in 1989, the Berlin wall did fall, and many looked at Regan's speech as a preemptive indicator that the wall should and would come down. There is dispute to how much influence Regan's words actually had; however, the speech remains one of his most famous in regard to the ending of the Cold War.
- On June 12th, 1987, Regan arrived in West Berlin. Before his arrival, many Berliners adamantly voiced their opposition to his arrival. Regardless, Regan arrived and gave his infamous "Tear down this wall!" speech in reference to the Berlin Wall, which had become an international symbol of the divide between the Soviet East and Democratic west. In his speech, he made claims to end the arms race and liberate the divided city.
- Regan experienced turmoil in the Middle East, especially in regard to preventing further Soviet influence on the region. Under Regan, the US government funded Afghani Guerrilla forces to fight Soviet occupation of the country. In addition, Regan had forces positioned in Lebanon to help keep peace in the region due to the threat of civil war.
- The US precence in Lebanon resulted in a terrorist attack against a Marine base in 1983, killing 241 American servicemen. In response, Regan sanctioned bombings against Syrian forces in Lebanon, and eventually withdrew all forces. Ultimately, due to the United States' funding of the Afghan military forces, it gave birth to al-Qaeda, who would go onto attack the US on September 11, 2001.
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