Reagan DoctrineThe U.S. will provide support to anti-communist
resistance movements in Soviet-leaning, 3rd World nations with the goals of:1. Stopping the infiltration or spread of communism 2. Weakening the U.S.S.R (“the focus of evil in the world”)
KEYS:a. Not a new idea (Truman, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Carter, et al)b. Nature of “support” is important
Beirut• October 23, 1983 –
bomb exploded at Marine barracks
• 241 killed• Horrific images of
bodies pulled out of rubble
• Worst loss of a Marine force since WW 2
Beirut
• Bombing linked to Iranian (some Syrian) terrorists. Early Hezbollah
• US Marines stationed as peacekeepers due to Lebanese Civil War
• Shiite extremists saw them as pro-Christian and pro-Israel
Grenada
• 48 hours after Beirut 5,000 Marines sent to tiny Caribbean Island
• Turmoil by Marxist group led by Maurice Bishop
• 800 Cuban laborers building a landing strip which could accommodate Soviet planes
Grenada• Desire to protect 500 Americans• Many enrolled at St. George’s Medical School• Had been told to remain in dorms for safety• Curfew established due to political unrest
• “We got there just in time”• - R. Reagan
Grenada• Invasion condemned by United
Kingdom, Canada, UN General Assembly as a “flagrant violation of international law”
• Grenada part of Commonwealth of Nations (former piece of British Empire)– Even Margaret Thatcher
condemned! (Very close with Reagan)
El Salvador• Civil War from 1980-1992• Military regime (backed by US) vs. a coalition of
left-wing militias (backed by Cuba . . . USSR?)• At least 75,000 civilians killed, many
government “Death Squads”• Congressional Report later indicates frequent
atrocities by gov’t troops – many officers trained by USA.
• 1 million flee violence and come to USA
Iran-Contra ScandalPart 1• BEGINS IN NICARAGUA• Led by left-wing president, Daniel
Ortega• Ortega’s regime part of Socialist
Movement known as “Sandanistas”• US had supported Sandanistas in
late 1970s to overthrow previous dictators
• Ortega was a democratically elected president
• Reagan concerned about Cuban ties
Iran-Contra Scandal
• US CIA trains “Contra” rebels to topple Ortega government
• Attacked collective farms, killed rivals, planned assassinations – UGLY STUFF
• World Court called US guilty of “State Sponsored Terrorism” (US ignored proceedings)
• Supporters claimed that efforts were keeping Communist regime from destroying legitimate rivals
• KEY: Needed money for these operations
Iran-Contra ScandalPart 2
In another part of the world . . .• Iran controlled by radical Shiites (US enemy)• Iran at war with Iraq and in need of
weapons• Iran holds 6 American hostages• Moderates in Iran MAY assist in release of
hostages IF US provides weapons • Reagan clearly approved selling weapons to
Iranian moderates (through Israel) to free hostages
Iran-Contra Scandal
THE PLAN1. Sell arms to Iranian moderates (with Israeli help)2. Secure release of hostages3. Use profits to support Contra Rebels
THE PROBLEM4. Iran is our enemy! (remember Hostage Crisis (1979?
Beirut - 1983???)5. Boland Amendment (1982) – forbade assistance to
Contras for purpose of overthrowing Nicaraguan Regime - Signed by R. Reagan
Iran-Contra Scandal• Plan hatched by
National Security Advisor: John Poindexter and his attache, Col. Oliver North using CIA
• When uncovered, Independent Commission called by Reagan to investigate
• Televised hearings 1986
Iran-Contra Affair• Tower Commission found no direct involvement by
Reagan• Reagan denied “arms for hostages” knowledge;
admitted arms to Iran (for release of US hostages)• 14 Reagan Administration Officials indicted; 11
convicted …including Secretary of Defense• Poindexter convicted of multiple felonies• Most offenders pardoned by BUSH 1• Still unclear what Reagan knew . . . NOT unclear what
he SHOULD KNOW!• Becomes the “Teflon President”
Soviet Union
• The center of evil in Reagan’s World• No negotiations with USSR in first terms• 2nd Term: Mikhail Gorbachev arrives• Tone changes
“Gorby” was a reformer!
• Glasnost – “openness”• Perestroika – “decentralization” of Soviet
economy• Proposed massive cuts in Soviet arms• Wanted to “deal” with USA
“This is a man we can deal with.”- PM Margaret Thatcher
SDI(Strategic Defense Initiative)
• Space-centered laser technology• Build an “umbrella” of protection to stop
incoming missiles• “Star Wars”
. . . A fantasy that got the Soviet’s attention?
INFIntermediate Nuclear Force Treaty
• After some wrangling, Reagan and Gorby sign deal
• Soviets cut missiles in Europe (where they had huge advantage)
• USA agrees to halt deployment of Pershing missile systems