Yuriy
Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, Ukraine
THE U. S.
POLICY CONCERNING IRAN UNDER NIXON DOCTRINE
After Second World War, the US
developed a concept known as «conservation theory», according to
it the United
States should reduce its own production of raw materials and acumulate its forces to search for oil
resources abroad. Since the detection of oil fields in the Persian Gulf, they immediately
became the object of US interests, as could meet the needs of
its industrial
development.
The preservation of stability and
independence of the states in the Middle East and contain the threat of Islamic
fundamentalism were also the main interest in the region
fro American
leaders in the 60-70’s XX century. But these threats were derived and considered
in conjunction with such problems as oil and containment of the USSR as a
permanent threat to US foreign policy.
While American interests in the
Persian Gulf apparent during the Second World War, US started a direct impact
on process in the region only since 1971. [1, p.11]. Until that time
responsible for security in the region lay on the UK and the United States gave
only its
support. [3, p. 21] However, January 18, 1968, British Prime Minister H. Wilson announced in the House of
Commons that the British decided to withdraw its troops from the Gulf by the
end of 1971. This situation has given impetus to the future presence
of US in the
region. US policy in the Near and Middle East gradually expanded during the
administration of R. Nixon and based on his foreign policy agenda, which became
known as the «Nixon Doctrine».
The doctrine stated that the United
States will provide military and economic assistance to people whose freedom is
threatened, but also hope that these countries will assume primary
responsibility for its own defense. [2] The US felt a threat, if not to adopt a
concept of regulation of relations before the presence of the British
withdrawal from the Persian Gulf, the dangerous vacuum of power will be created in
the region. Although Nixon administration was troubled by security in the Gulf
region, it is recognized that the American military presence in Vietnam was
excessive and that the American public already disturbed by war, will not
support an active US involvement in the Middle East. Thus, in August 1972
Assistant Secretary of State for Near East and South Asia, J. Sisco said before
Congress that US Middle East vector and basic directions of
relations with
the countries of the region in accordance with the «Nixon
Doctrine» were as follows: 1) maintaining political development and regional
cooperation; 2) to provide support to local governments to promote their
independence and peace without US intervention in internal affairs; 3) encourage
Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the smaller states to actively cooperate with
each other to ensure security in the region; 4) to assist in the modernization
of the armed forces of Iran and Saudi Arabia, to enable them to effectively
provide their own security and to contribute to security in the region as a
whole; 5) expand Washington's diplomatic presence in the region; 6) to extend
the presence of marine troops in Bahrain. [1, p. 100]
The fourth principle was key in
American policy towards the Gulf region by President R. Nixon became known as
the concept of «twin pillar». Iran and Saudi Arabia were appointed substituted
for US security and the presence of American national interests in the region.
Nixon Administration recognized that the growing military power of Iran in
conjunction with financial assets of Saudi Arabia, supported by rising oil
prices represent a formidable, albeit indirectly, a tool of US policy in the
Persian Gulf.
Iran was certainly more convergent
partner due to its much more numerous population, relatively more developed
economies, and more powerful armed forces [2]. US gave to Shah carte blanche to the
procurement of arms, exept nuclear weapons. Iran has received an unprecedented
number of high level of technology and weapons that the US supplied to it in
the 70’s. In addition, the main objectives of US policy on Iran
included:
- maintain
an independent and sovereign Iran
- maintain
close ties with Iran, especially with Shah
- ensure
vigilance Iranian leadership relatively Soviet long-term goals.
- support
facilities for communication and intelligence and privileges the use of
airspace for flights over Iran.
- influence
the policy of Iran to enhance security and stability in the Middle East
- support
access to the West of Iranian oil, protect and expand US investment, get the
maximum share of the growing Iranian market [2].
However, a range of events in the
region since 1979 prevented the introduction Nixon Doctrine and led to the rise
of a more aggressive US policy toward the Persian Gulf. The fall of the Shah’s
regime in Iran and the Islamic Revolution, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan,
the war on the border between North and South Yemen, the start of the Iran-Iraq
war - showed high levels of tension and conflict in the Middle East. The fall
of the Shah’s regime in early 1979 had the greatest impact on US policy in the
region [3, p.50]. Without the Shah regime Nixon Doctrine was ineffective
as Saudi Arabia failed to adopt this role itself.
Thus, the US was actively developing
Middle East vector in its foreign policy in the 70’s XX century, which was
based on the Nixon Doctrine. Regarding to the economic, political, military,
strategic and monetary and financial interests of the United States, the
concept of «twin pillar» effectively was introduced in the Middle East, but
the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and the sudden and complete collapse of the Shah’s regime in Iran put
an end to
ten-year strategy for the United States in the Persian Gulf.
References:
1.
Bradley P. Recent United States policy in the
Persian Gulf (1971-1982) / Paul Bradley. – NY: Thompson Rutter, 1982. – 289 p.
2.
Bell R. Expansion of American Persian Gulf
policy by three presidents [Åëåêòðîííèé ðåñóðñ] // Global Security. – Ðåæèì äîñòóïó: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1990/BRB.htm
3.
Gordon M. Conflict in the Persian Gulf / Murray
Gordon. – NY: Fact on File, 1981. – 192 p.