President Carter's response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Carter

Before Soviet disintegration in 1990's, Soviet Union and United States were the two supreme world powers. The foreign policy of both the countries focused more on building close affinity with other countries, particularly countries enrich with oil reserves. Both the world powers tried to dominate in technological, industrial, economic and military front, and for the sake of industrial, military, technological open trade relations with smaller countries were required; market accessibility was must.

United States was in the favor of peaceful world, where dominance and influence through force was condemnable. United States was able to win the trust of smaller countries on the basis of reliable, consistent and friendly relation with its smaller counterparts.

PURPOSE

When Soviet launched military strikes against Afghanistan, America termed it as a threat to world peace, and violation of United Nation charter. United States government deplored and condemned such an act of suppressing the sovereignty of small countries.

The then president of United States President Jimmy Carter adopted a stern course of action against Soviet. The Soviet attack threatened the fragile oil market, and oil prices surged remarkably. Threat to world peace, threat to liberal and democratic principles by communist country was matter of grave concern; the American government desired strong measures which can hamper the Soviet aggression.

The Russian aggression was followed by the kidnapping of 50 American nationals in Iran, and it was believed that Iranian Islamist revolutionist and Russian intelligence were involved.

Jimmy Charter in his speech to the nation on 4th January 1980 reaffirmed United States commitment towards global peace, and warned Soviets of serious consequences. He pledged U.S. continuous economic, military support towards the Afghanistan, neighboring Pakistan. His speech was mainly directed towards Russian, and serious warnings were issued to Soviets in terms of military, trade sanctions. President Carter also laid down future course of action against Soviets; Carter revealed that General Assembly will be motivated to force Russians for pull back. President Carter believed that Russians planned to control the strategically important locations of South Asia, and resolved his commitment towards ensuring right of sovereignty to people of that region.

President warned Soviets was diplomatic isolation if it persisted towards military aggression, President revealed that, 'In the meantime, neither the United States nor any other nation which is committed to world peace and stability can continue to do business as usual with the Soviet Union'. President planned to impose possible diplomatic, trade, economic barriers not only from United States but from platform of United Nations.

President warned that if Russians continued their military campaign, violation of International law, the United States has the right to review its commitment towards SALT II treaty, which restricted the development of nuclear arsenal. President reaffirmed, 'we will of course, keep the ratification of SALT II under active review in consultation with the leaders of the Senate'.

BACKGROUND FACTORS

President's bold stand was also because of the reason that he was losing popularity among American people, and by resolving his firm commitment towards the security of American nationals and territory; he had an opportunity to win back his support before the elections.