6. The Coldest of Wars
This strategy was referred to as “containment,” as America wanted to contain the spread of Communism. So instead of scaling back their massive military machines created for World War II, both countries instead dedicated more of their budgets to growing their military might. The Cold War created geopolitical tension that would change America’s relationship with the world forever as they had to ally themselves with countries they would never have supported before and began clandestine operations in dozens of countries to contain Soviet influence.
This new strategy was troublesome as it meant supporting anti-communist dictators or supplying rebels with arms and money like in Afghanistan in 1979 and Nicaragua in 1985. America effectively became the policeman of the world, as during the Cold War they intervened in hundreds of disputes in numerous countries, either directly or by fighting a proxy war.
After the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union just two years later, America could have taken those opportunities to sever ties with its allies and scale back its military. Instead, as the last superpower standing, Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton both decided that it would be in the best interests of America and the world to maintain their involvement and managing of global affairs, arguing that America should be the great peacemaker.
