Policemen of the World Thesis and Outline
In the past years, the US Military has been brought up as the ‘world cops’. This has raised some feedbacks and upshots from different leaders, countries and even the US citizens themselves. So, why is the US military repeatedly referred to as the world police?
To begin with, the US military has undergone numerous changes and modifications in its recent history. Some are just but a number of initiatives by the government to improve the efficiency while some are direct consequences of past mistakes and complications suffered either in the military or the US as a nation. The civil war for example chipped in greatly in defining the modern state of affairs in the military. At the outset, the wars lasting-effects led to the obliteration of slavery and redefining America as comprising of a united and indivisible nation preferably than the previously existing separate states. This in turn led to the whole America joining forces to come up with one superior army which subsists to this day.
As a superpower sustaining a large military, the US has always volunteered in international unions and peace operations in an effort to aid and keep good international relations. Similarly, it has continued to protect its citizens living abroad, and as a result, the government has often found itself entangled in abroad military actions. In the recent time for example, it performed a military intervention In Libya (Operation Odyssey Dawn) in a coalition with UN to enforce the Security Council resolution of 1973.
It also recently in 2014, attempted to rescue James Foley and the other hostages held by the ISIL. Air strikes were carried out on the ISIL camp in Syria and although the mission was unsuccessful, some ISIL militants were killed. Other large operations that has led to the US military being called the world police are the operation Neptune spear that led to the killing of Osama bin laden and air strikes on Somalia in an effort to kill al-Shabaab militants (Halevi, 2011). These and many more military strategies have and may continue to be the pillars of the US military being called the world police in a modern world where peace is a jewel.
Policemen of the World Final Paper
You have already developed a thesis statement and developed an outline in which you explored two (2) real-life international incidents from the past five (5) years involving the United States involving the United States as a world power. Now you will develop the final paper in which you explore your main points in detail.
Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you:
- Introduce your paper with your previously crafted thesis statement. Identify two to three (2-3) international events from the past five years that can be traced back to a foreign policy created after the Civil War.
- Discuss three (3) aspects of US history since 1865 that have led to the USA’s rise as a world super power policeman.
- Identify three to five (3-5) international incidents since World War II where America has taken on a policing role.
- Determine three to five (3-5) driving forces that fueled international policy decisions involving the international incidents you outlined previously. (Consider treaties, exit strategies, elections, wars, etc.)
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
- Analyze the rise of the United States to a world “superpower” and how that status has shaped its internal developments in recent decades.
- Recognize the major turning points in American history since the Civil War.
- Use technology and information resources to research issues in contemporary U.S. history. Write clearly and concisely about contemporary U.S. history using proper writing mechanics.
Introduction
For a very long time, the US military has been assisting various situations around the world. This is because of the decision made by the government to protect their citizen no matter their location in the world. Instead of comprising of individual states, the United States of America joined forces to create a superior army, proving that it is now a united and indivisible nation. Protecting its citizens who are abroad has led to the U.S sending its army to work together with the army of other countries in certain situations. This paper champions the thesis that although the U.S is commonly criticized for being referred to as the world power, it has been engaged in a series of overseas military activities that are important across borders.
International Events From The Past Five Years That Can Be Traced Back To A Foreign Policy Created After The Civil War
America’s foreign policy is enabling the country to have a large impact on the world today. The foreign policy keeps on changing from time to time. The presidents who are responsible for influencing the formation of these policies in the present have already come to accept the fact that U.S is a member of the world community that cannot benefit in any way by ignoring the importance of alliances and getting along.
One of the International events that can be traced back to a foreign policy created after the civil war is the killing of Osama bin Laden. After taking office, president Obama gave an order to the CIA to direct more of their assigned resources to the hunting of Osama bin Laden. Once located, the president chose to overrule advice given by many of his generals to bomb his compound, and instead he opted for the U.S special Forces to carry out the task. This boldness in hunting and killing bin Laden reflects the counter-terror policy passed by Obama. Due to this policy, the U.S army plays major roles in various attacks against terrorists around the world (Heitmeyer, 2011). For instance, the increased use of drone strikes as a way of attacking the al Qaeda targets in Pakistan has turned out effective. The al Qaeda capacity has been reduced significantly.
Another international event is the attack against Al-Shabaab in Somalia using the drones. The Al-Shabaab is also a group of militias who are carrying out terrorist activities against many countries and citizens of the world. For this reason, a drone was set to strike a small village whereby most of the top leaders of the group were camped.
Aspects Of US History Since 1865 That Have Led To The USA’S Rise As A World Super Power Policeman
There are certain aspects of the US history since 1865 that have greatly contributed to the rise of the country as a world super power policeman. First, by becoming the world’s greatest economy at 1865 and achieving a 50% level of world production at the end of World War II, the country managed to start its rise (Heitmeyer, 2011). Having the largest economy gave this country a lot of power over other countries. It is what enables it to have more resources to use in worldwide activities. Second, this country gained great respect when it chose to extend its existing opposition to imperialism in the Western Hemisphere to other regions of the world (Schlesinger, 2004). This was one of its first actions in matters relating to other countries. In late 19th century, America reacted bitterly to the revival of the European imperialism. In the 1900 Open Door Note, the same opposition was extended in China (Schlesinger, 2004). This was not the end of it, as in 1918 and 1941 more oppositions created by the USA were subjected in Europe, Wilson’s 14 Points and in S/SE Asia and Africa (Schlesinger, 2004). Lastly, this country started participating fully in the destruction of powers in the World Wars, division in Cold War, and the stagnation under communism.
International Incidents Since World War II Where America Has Taken On A Policing Role
First, America took on a policing role when it got involved in Iran politics at the time of the White Revolution by supporting Reza Pahlavi. Second, the country was at the forefront of the 2003 rescuing mission of Iraq citizens when the country was suffering from mass killings conducted by Saddam Hussein (Schlesinger, 2004). Third, the country played an essential role in Libya and Egypt back in 2013 when it sent its troops there on a mission of peace restoration (In Hehir & In Murray, 2013).
Driving Forces That Fueled International Policy Decisions Involving The International Incidents
The reason why the U.S chose to support Reva Pahlavi at the heights of the cold war was because the two were great allies. This meant that there was no other reason to help its people during the famous White Revolution. A factor that led the U.S to interfere and host Saddam Hussein from power was the threat received on September 11, 2001 (In Hehir & In Murray, 2013). This action was meant to keep things under control and protect innocent lives. Lastly, the U.S was in support of change of how elections were being conducted, as they were in support of the free and fair elections. They did not want a recurrence of what Gaddafi and other dictators were used to (In Hehir & In Murray, 2013). This is why they intervened.
Conclusion
The United States indeed deserves the title of world power and world police, as is seen by the various activities that it has chosen to indulge in selflessly. Without its help, many countries would be suffering from terrorism, and lives would also be lost each passing day.
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