the most noteworthy example of the policy of deterrence was

superiority in strategic strength, and its replacement by a strategic balance in which the U.S. The breakdown in the unity of the Communist Bloc, with all that implies for the shift of energies and resources to purposes other than a single-minded challenge to the United States and its friends, and for a higher priority in at least some Communist countries to the pursuit of national interests rather than their subordination to the requirements of world revolution.Ĥ. The increasing self-reliance of the states created by the dissolution of the colonial empires, and the growth of both their ability and determination to see to their own security and well-being.ģ. The recovery of economic strength and political vitality by Western Europe and Japan, with the inexorable result that both their role and ours in the world must be adjusted to reflect their regained vigor and self-assurance.Ģ. I set forth at some length the changes in the world which made a new policy not only desirable, but necessary.ġ. In the first two Reports, I stressed the fact that the postwar period of international relations had ended, and that it was the task of this Administration to shape a new foreign policy to meet the requirements of a new era.

This account of a year of intense action, therefore, properly begins with a brief review of the intellectual foundation on which those actions rest. It is, however, a companion piece to the two earlier Reports, for without an understanding of the philosophical conception upon which specific actions were based, the actions themselves can neither be adequately understood nor fairly judged. This Report is addressed to those and other developments. The creation of a new environment for the world's monetary and trade activities. The laying of a foundation for a healthier and more sustainable relationship with our European allies and Japan The beginning of a new relationship with the Soviet Union An opening to the People's Republic of China The foundation laid and the cumulative effect of the actions taken earlier enabled us to achieve, during the past year, changes in our foreign policy of historic scope and significance: In short, they foreshadowed a transformation of American foreign relations with both our friends and our adversaries.įor three years, our policies have been designed to move steadily, and with increasing momentum, toward that transformation.ġ971 was the watershed year. They expounded our conception of what that role should be.

They expressed the conviction that new conditions required fundamental changes in America's world role. The earlier Reports set forth fully this Administration's analysis of the world situation. It comes after a year of dramatic developments. This is the third Report of this kind which I have made to the Congress. PART I: 1971-THE WATERSHED YEAR-AN OVERVIEW Part VII: The Policy-Making Process: The NSC System 341 Part VI: The Imperative of Global Cooperation 325 Part IV: Areas of Turbulence and Challenge 272 Part III: Areas of Continuing transition 253 Part I: The Watershed Year-An Overview 195

The most noteworthy example of the policy of deterrence was