Reagan's War on Terrorism in Nicaragua: The Outlaw State

During the Reagan administration, the U.S. developed an offensive strategy for dealing with conflict in the developing world, including Nicaragua. This policy was driven by a response to the emergent threat of international terrorism and sought to "roll-back" the gains of communism. The U.S.-Contra War established a precedent for the use of overt pre-emptive force against sovereign nations in the name of counterterrorism.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 232 pages
\n Publication date: 31 August 2018
\n Publisher: Lexington Books
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The United States developed an offensive strategy during the first two years of Ronald Reagans second term to address conflict in the developing world, with Nicaragua as a primary target. This policy, known as the Reagan offensive, marked a departure from the norms of containment and aimed to "roll back" the gains of communism. However, the Reagan offensive was also driven by the emerging threat of international terrorism. The United States utilized aggressive proxy war and pursued regime change in Central America to combat terrorism, which provided a justification for these actions. U.S. policy with Nicaragua demonstrates the significant role of terrorism in shaping the more aggressive United States in the post-Cold War era.

This book examines the influence of the U.S.-Contra War in establishing a precedent for the use of overt pre-emptive force against sovereign nations in the name of counterterrorism. In the 21st century, the United States adopted a policy with the world based on a broad definition of self-defense that called for various actions that often violated traditional norms of international law and recognition of sovereign rights. This book demonstrates that the precedent for this change occurred in the late Cold War, as the United States sought to respond to the escalation of global terrorism.

The emergence of terrorism in the 1970s and 1980s transformed how and when the United States applied force in the world. The Reagan offensive marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing the use of military force and covert operations to address global threats. It also highlighted the importance of international cooperation and collaboration in combating terrorism, as seen in the formation of organizations such as the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Overall, this book provides valuable insights into the history and evolution of U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the context of counterterrorism and the use of pre-emptive force. It sheds light on the complex relationships between national security, international law, and the pursuit of global stability and prosperity.

\n Weight: 364g\n
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781498537193\n \n