President Reagan's Foreign Policy: Making the World Over Again

Truth to tell, President Reagan was not exactly a fan of traveling – especially if it meant to far away places without Nancy. Once when talking to an adjutant about some upcoming foreign travel and the number of flights required, the President said "the highest I want to go is on the saddle of a horse." Merely he understood the importance of representing America abroad and of forming relationships with his counterparts, and climbed the steps of Air Strength 1 many times over the 8 years, visiting more than two dozen countries. When he stood in a foreign capital letter and heard "The Star Spangled Banner" played past the host country's ring, President Reagan seemed to stand merely a petty taller and his chest swelled always then slightly. You could well-nigh feel his pride in representing the USA.

He believed fervently in the greatness and goodness of America, and knew that American forcefulness was central to earth peace. One of his first priorities as President was taking a demoralized and underfunded U.Due south. military and giving it the support and resources it needed to proceed America safe and to be a force for peace effectually the world. Goose egg made him prouder than to exist Commander in Chief. You could see in his confront how much it meant to receive – and return – a salute. He felt a special bail with the men and women in uniform, particularly the immature people from the small-scale towns across America. That they were willing to gamble their lives for their state never ceased to astonish and humble President Reagan. He took no responsibility more seriously than to go along them out of damage'south way. But he made a commitment to them that if it ever became necessary to send them into boxing, he would make sure they had what they needed to get the job done. By the fourth dimension President Reagan left office, the U.S. military budget had increased 43% over the total expenditure during the height of the Vietnam War. Troop levels increased, in that location were significantly more weapons and equipment and the country'southward intelligence program was vastly improved.

Ronald Reagan strengthened the military considering he was a realist. He understood the world, and had a clear sense of what America's role should be – the champion of freedom for peoples everywhere.

Perhaps his most steadfast marry in that pursuit was British Prime Government minister Margaret Thatcher. From the day they met, the two only "clicked." They saw the world in similar ways, and establish themselves in agreement on most global issues. The U.S. and British were said to have a "special human relationship," perhaps best evidenced by the fact that the Reagans' first State Dinner in 1981 and last Country Dinner in 1988 were both in laurels of Mrs. Thatcher.

The "special human relationship" betwixt the U.S. and the U.Yard. was non express to the Prime Government minister. Indeed, the Reagans and the British Royal family came to like each other quite a bit, so much so that Queen Elizabeth 2 invited President Reagan to go horseback riding with her at Windsor Castle, and Mrs. Reagan was an honored guest at two Royal weddings.

Pope John Paul II was another leader with whom President Reagan had a special rapport. Their relationship went well beyond the usual formalism events between a President and a Pope. As they came to know each other, they found they had like views about Communist domination of Eastern Europe, and quietly worked together to support the Solidarity movement which eventually led to Poland condign a free nation.

Poland was not the merely nation which benefitted from President Reagan'south steadfast advocacy of democracy. While President Reagan was in the White Business firm, Free, democratic elections were held for the first time in many years in the Democracy of Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Republic of bolivia, Guatemala, Republic of el salvador, Honduras and the Philippines. By the time President Reagan left function, the number of people in Latin America living under freely elected governments tripled from what it had been x years earlier.

The President did more than just talk. In 1983, when he was asked by the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, President Reagan sent U.Southward. troops to Grenada to lead a multi-national force in liberating that country from an oppressive Marxist dictatorship. Not only were the communists ousted, the troops rescued well-nigh 1,000 American medical students whose safety was in jeopardy nether the brutal authorities.

Possibly because growing upwards in the heartland of America Ronald Reagan learned the importance of beingness a good neighbor, he paid special attention to our neighbors to the north and south – Canada and Mexico. Wasting no fourth dimension in reaching out, he took the unprecedented footstep of visiting Mexico as President-elect, and visited 6 more times while in the White House. He made Canada the start foreign country he visited as President, travelling there less than two months after bold role, the kickoff of five trips. While President Reagan enjoyed strong relationships with all of the Mexican and Canadian leaders during his Presidency, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney became a peculiarly staunch marry and valued friend.

Over the eight years, there were some frustrations in foreign policy, principal among which was the elusiveness of lasting peace in the Centre East. Progress was made, such as the finalization of the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty, but the region remained unstable – as it had been for centuries. The 1983 bombing of U.S. Marine Corps billet in Beirut, Lebanon was particularly disappointing and distressing for President and Mrs. Reagan.

Overall, the touch on of the Reagan Presidency on the earth was undeniably positive. America'due south foreign policy objectives were clear and consistent. We stood past our friends and did not back down when adversaries tried to spread their oppressive systems. Friend and foe alike knew that in the Oval Part was a President who kept his discussion. America was in one case over again the beacon of liberty in the world.