The Eisenhower Doctrine Essay PLS 333 PDF

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Professor French PLS 333 01 10/05/20 Eisenhower Doctrine This essay examines the history of the Eisenhower doctrine and why it was created. It explores the main objectives of the doctrine regarding the Middle East and the US interest in those nations. As well as how the doctrine proved to be more effective to President Eisenhower than alternative policies suggested during that time. The Eisenhower Doctrine was created in 1957 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. President Eisenhower wrote this doctrine in response to the crisis that took place in Egypt surrounding the conflict over the Suez Canal between 1956 and 57. He also created it out of fear of the Soviet's presence in the Middle East and the potential rise of communist practices that could be caused by this. President Eisenhower proposed the doctrine before Congress on January 20, 1957, and in that speech, President Eisenhower called for “a new and more proactive American policy in the region,”(History.com 2009) of the Middle East. Congress did not initially back the proposal as they took two months to debate before approving on March 9, 1957. However, while Congress eventually agreed to this doctrine some nations in the Middle East were not happy about it with some even refusing to acknowledge it. However, this did not stop President Eisenhower from invoking actions based on this doctrine in the Middle East. The first time the Eisenhower doctrine was involved was during the Jordan crisis in early 1957 during this crisis due to a struggle of power in the middle east between King Hussein and the Prime Minister at the time Suleiman al-Nabulsi. At this time Nabulsi was trying to encourage “nationalist to overthrow King Hussein and enter a federation with Syria and Egypt.”(Hahn 2006) Hussein took action by obtaining thousands of soldiers to remove Nabulsi from power and charging him with conspiracy and insubordination. This internal conflict caused tensions between nations with several threatening to take action such as Syria, Iraq, and Israel. Out of fear that the death of King Hussein might lead to war over Jordan the United States decided to back Hussein by providing millions of dollars in aid to stabilize Jordan. Besides providing aid to stabilize the internal conflict, President Eisenhower in an attempt to prevent foreign forces from engaging or moving in on Jordan had “the Pentagon order the sixth fleet to sail to the Mediterranean, stationed the six fleets amphibious task group in Beirut, positioned destroyers near Massawa-Aden and alerted air units in Europe for possible deployment.” (Hahn 2006) Due to Eisenhower following through on his promise of aid in the Eisenhower doctrine there was no action by neighboring nations and Jordan was stabilized. The second time President Eisenhower enforced the policies and the doctrine was during a crisis in Syria. The relationship between Syria and the United States was strained at this time for several reasons but it started ever since Shukry al-Quwalty became president in August of 1955. (Hahn 2006). Al- Quwalty had been making deals with the soviets, openly criticizing the Eisenhower Doctrine and the Baghdad pact as well as being considered the instigator for the nationalist uprising in Jordan. Out of fear that Syria was being influenced by the Soviet Union and starting to show communist tendencies, President Eisenhower attempted to have troops move into Damascus but this covert operation was infiltrated by Syria and led to diplomats being deported in the United States Embassy being held hostage by Syrian tanks. The United States responded by expelling two Syrian envoys from Washington. The showdown between Syria in

the United States forced Eisenhower to once again send “the sixth fleet to the Eastern Mediterranean, Station NATO planes in Turkey, and alert military commands worldwide to prepare for war.” (Hahn 2006) President Eisenhower also appealed to Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan to work together to dismantle the Syrian government but only Turkey took action against Syria. While Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan decided to remain passive even after the United States assisted Jordan and helped King Hussein stay in power. Syria and the United States remain in conflict and military forces remain in the Middle East until “Syria and Egypt merged into the United Arab Republic (UAR) on February 1, 1958”(Hahn 2006) with it officially being recognized by the United States on February 25, 1958, with the crisis being averted. President Eisenhower had several objectives when it came to the Eisenhower doctrine. The objective of the Eisenhower doctrine was for the United States to be able to provide aid to any country in the Middle East. The first type of aid that the United States would be providing extended to economical support for countries that need resources but they cannot afford them. Beyond this initial reason, the underlying cause for economic aid for resources would be to help these nations prevent a takeover by rival nations or communist influence from external forces. The second objective of this doctrine would again be to allow aid to Middle Eastern countries. However, this particular aid provided by the United States would allow for “the employment of the arm forces of the United States to secure and protect the territorial integrity and political independence of such nations.”(Eisenhower Doctrine 1957) These forces provided by the United States would be sent over for the same reasons as for economic aid which is to protect nations from rivals as well as prevent any communist influence. These objectives directly served the United States interest. The reason why is because the United States was in direct conflict at the time with the Soviet Union and President Eisenhower Had always displayed a strong stance against communism. Therefore, the Soviet’s growing presence in the Middle East caused concern with the United States as it directly conflicted with their interest and relationships with Middle Eastern allies. This doctrine also served the United States interest because with it the United States does not have to worry about the United Nations Security Council trying to override any of the United States' armed attacks. With the Eisenhower Doctrine, the United States would also be able to not have to seek approval from the council on the type of aids or the frequency of aid provided to these nations regardless of if they are allies or enemies to the United Nations. Overall, the Eisenhower Doctrine gives the United States more freedom to move against the Soviet Union because they are part of the United Nations. Finally, the United Nations has previously shown the United States that while it does have its good moment it “cannot be a wholly dependable protector of freedom when the ambitions of the Soviet Union are involved.” (Eisenhower Doctrine 1957) Out of the other options or policies that President Eisenhower could have developed, he chose the Eisenhower Doctrine because he believed that it best supported the United States' interests. One example of an alternative policy that was presented to President Eisenhower was a joint peace treaty between the Soviet Union, France, the United States, and Britain proposed by Soviet foreign minister Dimitri Shepilov. This peace treaty would declare that none of these states would interfere “in Middle East states, curtail arms supply to the region, and evacuate their military bases and abolish security packs there.”(Hahn 2006) President Eisenhower declined this option as I did not benefit the United States and decrease western influence in those nations but it also gave the Soviet union more influence. Also, it would give rise to communism and Middle Eastern territories that have been resisting the power of the Soviet Union, and their allies would fall under their rule. Another alternative option that President Eisenhower shot down in favor of the Eisenhower doctrine was a proposal to “build a U.S. security apparatus on Israel.” (Hahn 2006) President Eisenhower rejected this idea for several reasons, the first being that he believed that doing this would drive Israel to further align themselves with Soviet forces by moving into Moscow camps. Secondly, President Eisenhower believed that “domestic opinion would not allow a break with Israel.” (Hahn 2006) Furthermore, while President Eisenhower could have

gone to the United Nations to seek support and protection for these nations he believed that based on previous interactions and conflicts with other nations the United Nations have demonstrated that they “have a callous indifference in the recommendations, even the censure of the General assembly.” (Eisenhower Doctrine 1957) In conclusion, the Eisenhower doctrine was a speech made by President Eisenhower to Congress in response to the events happening in the Middle East particularly the Suez Crisis and the influence of the soviets. The main objectives that President Eisenhower was trying to achieve after it was approved by congress were supplying economic aid as well as military support to nations in Middle Eastern countries. This supported U.S. interest by helping to prevent the influence of communism in these countries and give the soviets less influence. This doctrine proved to be more effective than others provided to Truman because it allowed him to take action without being stalled by the United Nations that was unreliable due to its affiliation with the Soviet Union.

Citations Brew, Gregory. “‘Our Most Dependable Allies’: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the Eisenhower Doctrine, 1956–1958.” Mediterranean quarterly 26.4 (2015): 89–109. Web.

JEFFREY H. MICHAELS. “Dysfunctional Doctrines? Eisenhower, Carter and U.S. Military Intervention in the Middle East.” Political science quarterly 126.3 (2011): 465–492. Web.

Peter L. Hahn. “Securing the Middle East: The Eisenhower Doctrine of 1957.” Presidential studies quarterly 36.1 (2006): 38–47. Web.

Eisenhower Doctrine, 1957. Great Neck Publishing. Print.

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Glass, Andrew. “Eisenhower Calls on Congress to Take Action in the Middle East, Jan. 5, 1957.” POLITICO, 5 Jan. 2016, www.politico.com/story/2015/12/eisenhower-calls-on-congress-to-takeaction-in-the-middle-east-jan-5-1957-217274. History.com Editors. “Eisenhower Doctrine.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2

Dec. 2009, www.history.com/topics/cold-war/eisenhower-doctrine. Longley, Robert. “Definition and Analysis of the Eisenhower Doctrine.” ThoughtCo, www.thoughtco.com/eisenhower-doctrine-definition-analysis-4589315. Pach, Chester J., and Associate Professor of HistoryOhio University. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Foreign Affairs. 30 May 2020, millercenter.org/president/eisenhower/foreign-affairs....