Foreign policies of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter

Foreign Policy

Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter: A Comparison and Contrast

Both Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan had specific foreign policy goals when they entered office. Carter was determined to bring a fresh face to international relations by refraining from involvement in conflicts around the world, seeking to model peace and human rights in the U.S. Quite the opposite, Ronald Reagan entered office with the primary goal of preventing the expansion of the Soviet Union and communism. While Carter sought to prevent conflict at all costs, Regan prepared for it by maintaining the largest increase of the military arsenal that peace times had ever seen. Furthermore, extensive support of Israel and controversial involvement in Latin America, primarily the Iran-Contra affair, characterized the former actor's presidency. Both presidencies, however, were characterized by a series of successes and failures.

Carter gained some success in his goal of establishing the United States as a role model for peace and human rights. Most significantly, his involvement in the Camp David Accords led to achievements in fostering peace between Arabs and Israelis in the longstanding Arab-Israeli conflict. Additionally, Carter's Strategic Arms Limitations talks II Treaty, though it was never ratified, led to an informal agreement and slowdown of the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Less successful actions, however, included Carter's handling of the OPEC crisis, in which Middle Eastern nations, concerned with economic hegemony in the West, drove up oil prices, the Panama Canal Treaties, which gave control of the U.S. held canal back to Panama, and, importantly, the Iran hostage crisis that erupted during the later years of his presidency. The crisis highlighted Carter's weaknesses as a negotiator and military leader as neither his diplomatic nor military attempts to release the hostages succeeded, and they were released a few moments after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president.