Lecture: Foreign Policy and International Relations

Disclaimer

• The ideas presented are personal and do not represent official US Government, Navy Department, or Naval War College positions.

Main Topics

• Intervention in Foreign Conflicts

  • Frequent practice by the USA.
  • Importance of understanding alignments and historical adversaries.

• Limited Wars

  • Defined as wars not seeking regime change.
  • Two examples: Sino-Indian War (1962) and Bangladesh Independence War (1971).

Pivotal Decisions

Decision 1: China’s Conquest

• Mao Zedong's Victory (1949) led to conquest of Xinjiang and Tibet.
  • Tibet's strategic importance due to mineral resources.
  • China's infrastructure development in Tibet reduces buffer zone with India.

Decision 2: US Alliance Strategy

• Pactomania under Eisenhower: Forming alliances to counter Soviet Union.
  • Northern tier strategy aimed at protecting Middle East oil fields.
  • Alliance with Pakistan upset India, straining US-India relations.

Pivotal Situations

• Sino-Soviet Relations

  • Strained until Mao's acquisition of nuclear weapons (1964).
  • Mao’s grievances against Russia, including territorial disputes and strategic disagreements.

• Vietnam War Tensions

  • China sought influence over Vietnam; Russia aimed for pincer on China.
  • Resulted in Sino-Soviet border conflicts (1969).

Alliances and Conflicts

India’s Position

• India’s Non-alignment

  • Initially favorable to China; recognized sovereignty over Tibet.
  • Sino-Indian War (1962) shifted India's stance, leading to militarization.

• India-Russia Relations

  • Shared concerns over China; military and economic aid from Russia.

Pakistan’s Dynamics

• Alliance with China

  • Pakistan sought China as an ally post-1962 war.
  • Controversial territorial concessions to China.

• US-Pakistan Relations

  • Dependent on strategic needs like U2 listening posts.
  • Strained by inconsistent US aid and military support.

Key Conflicts

• India-Pakistan Wars (1965, 1971)
  • 1965 war led to US double embargo.
  • 1971 war resulted in Bangladesh independence; strained US-India relations.

Strategic Plays and Power Dynamics

Instruments of National Power

• Diplomacy and Treaties

  • Indus Waters Treaty (1960) as a success in India-Pakistan cooperation.
  • Failed diplomatic efforts to reconcile India and Pakistan.

• Military and Economic Aid

  • US aid often complicated by regional dynamics.
  • Controversial military support led to unintended alliances.

• Public Support and Sanctions

  • Public positions often affected international relations negatively.
  • Sanctions frequently applied but with limited effectiveness.

Lessons on Strategy

• Primary Adversaries

  • Understanding alignments key before intervention.
  • Reassess policies regularly based on new intelligence.

• Great Power Cooperation

  • Effective when aligned against common threats.
  • Smaller nations' collective influence can outweigh singular great powers.

Q&A Discussion Highlights

US Foreign Policy Choices

• Pakistan vs. India as Allies
  • Cold War dynamics favored Pakistan due to strategic location.
  • Changing dynamics with India now seen as more aligned against China.

Soviet Influence on Decolonizing Nations

• Appeal of Soviet Model
  • Viewed as an alternative to colonial capitalism.
  • Historical context of World Wars and economic depression.

Reflections on War and International Relations

• Cold War Dynamics
  • Misjudgments and strategic recalibrations throughout.
  • Importance of understanding adversarial alignments and cultural contexts.

This lecture provided a comprehensive overview of historical decisions and alliances that have shaped modern international relations, emphasizing the complexity and long-term impacts of strategic choices.