American strategy during the presidencies of Richard Nixon (1969-1974) and Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) towards Asia

Abstract

The defeat in the Vietnam War forced American strategic planners to adopt a new strategy under President Richard Nixon: flexible deterrence. This strategy relied on non-intervention in emerging crises in Asia and dependence on allied countries (Australia, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, North Yemen, Israel, and Egypt), which the American administration termed the "arc of crisis." The aim was to protect American interests in four strategic regions of Asia (Indochina, Iran, the Arabian Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, occupied Palestine, and Egypt). In return, the United States obtained access to these countries' land, waters, and airspace for American forces, along with the establishment of US military bases. This was done in exchange for American weapons and economic aid to counter communist expansion in the region. During the era of President Jimmy Carter, the United States pursued a strategy of containment and active regional engagement, or what is called the hardline strategy, to confront the Soviet Union following the fall of the Shah’s regime in Iran by a popular revolution in January 1979 and the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in December 1979. This involved developing the American air and naval forces by increasing military spending in the federal budget by 23% to develop rapid reaction forces and raise their readiness to protect American interests (in the sea lanes, oil fields and American military bases) in the region