TY - JOUR
T1 - The limits of American foreign commitments
AU - Berkowitz, Bruce D.
AU - De Mesquita, Bruce Bueno
PY - 1982
Y1 - 1982
N2 - A key instrument of American foreign policy intended to contain Soviet expansion since World War II has been the extension of security commitments from the United States to smaller nations in the third world. Currently, American political leaders have proposed similar commitments to such nations as Egypt, Oman, Kenya, and Somalia in response to the crises in Iran and Afghanistan. However, these policies frequently have been counterproductive because of a general principle affecting relations between a great power and a small power. These relationships are likely to deteriorate because of the limited mutual interests of the two nations. When this happens, the great power must usually choose between intervening in its ally's affairs or suffering a foreign policy setback. Instead, the United States should make strong commitments only to nations sharing with the U.S. broad mutual interests while actively supporting the neutrality of other countries.
AB - A key instrument of American foreign policy intended to contain Soviet expansion since World War II has been the extension of security commitments from the United States to smaller nations in the third world. Currently, American political leaders have proposed similar commitments to such nations as Egypt, Oman, Kenya, and Somalia in response to the crises in Iran and Afghanistan. However, these policies frequently have been counterproductive because of a general principle affecting relations between a great power and a small power. These relationships are likely to deteriorate because of the limited mutual interests of the two nations. When this happens, the great power must usually choose between intervening in its ally's affairs or suffering a foreign policy setback. Instead, the United States should make strong commitments only to nations sharing with the U.S. broad mutual interests while actively supporting the neutrality of other countries.
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U2 - 10.1080/01495938208402641
DO - 10.1080/01495938208402641
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84950773720
SN - 0149-5933
VL - 3
SP - 245
EP - 260
JO - Comparative Strategy
JF - Comparative Strategy
IS - 3
ER -