Premium Essay

Iran-Contra Affair Case Study

Submitted By
Words 582
Pages 3
Background:
In 1979 the Sandinistas seized power through a revolution in Nicaragua. With the fear of spearing socialism in Latin America, the Reagan Administration back contras who sought to overthrow the regime. Power also changed in 1979 Iran when a radical Islamic movement overthrew the US backed government.

Iran-Contra Affair:
The Iran-Contra Affair was one of the most complicated political scandals in US history. At the time, Iran had been in a lengthy war with Iraq and was in desperate need of materials. The Reagan Administration secretly arranged an “arms-for-hostage” type deal in which Israel would sell arms from the US to Iran, and in exchange for the arms, Iran was to influence to release of American hostages in Lebanon. Since the operation was not aligned with policy or an “official” governmental covert operation, there was no policy coordination with the Israelis. In addition, the secrecy of the operation did not allow the CIA’s DDS&T to assess the capabilities of the weapons provided, and what the Iranian’s intent were with those weapons. I could …show more content…
The NSC Staff’s efforts “to assist the contras in the wake of Congress’s withdrawal of funding took many forms” (Walsh, 1994). Not only was this a major political scandal, but American law and policy were greatly violated. The Boland Amendment (passed between 1982 – 1984) forbid the US governments assistance to the Contras in Nicaragua. Despite the fact that Reagan had promised voters he would never negotiate with terrorists, the sale of Arms to Iran were also banned, and any funds provided to contras above the limit set by Congress were forbidden, negotiations were still made. Following the affair, investigations began to

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Reagan Era

...attitudes toward Nicaragua and other perceived hostile nations became known as “Reagan Doctrine.” The defeat of the Nicaraguan Revolution became the “cornerstone of the Reagan Central American policy and the test case of Reagan Doctrine.” (U.S. Intervention in the Nicaraguan Elections and American Foreign Policy in the Post-Cold War Era, 1992) Reagan Doctrine was not a label coined by President Reagan or his administration. It was a term used later by his critics to define his foreign policy strategy for countries around the world. The Reagan Doctrine was a strategy to aid anti-communist, or more specifically, anti-Soviet insurgencies in the Third World during Reagan’s two terms as president from 1981-1989. The primary goal was to overthrow Marxist regimes and/or prevent Marxist regimes from becoming established. Reagan wasted no time getting started in the implementation of his foreign policy. The Administration’s first comprehensive “U.S. National Security Strategy,” which was a document approved by the President in May of 1982, stated the objective to “contain and reverse the expansion of Soviet control and military presence throughout the world, and to increase the costs of Soviet support and use of proxy, terrorist and subversive forces.” (Presidential Studies, 2006) Reagan made staunch calls for public support in his efforts. In the State of the Union Address in 1985, for example, he stated that...

Words: 2622 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Nuclear Armed Iran

...Iran and Israel have long been enigmatic players on the international stage, belonging to the Middle East but not quite identifying with the majority of its inhabitants. For the sole majority-ethnic Persian state in the Middle East and one of the few Shiite Muslim ones, friction and tension have been constant features of its relations with the predominantly Arab and Sunni Middle Eastern states. If Iran is somewhat of an outcast in the region, this is even more the case for Israel as the only ethnically and religiously Jewish state, not only in the region but in the world at large. Aside from Turkey, which is really the only other significant non-Arab state actor in the region, Iran and Israel represent deviations from the norm of mostly Sunni Muslim and ethnically Arab states in the Middle East. Still, what stands out as truly unique in the modern Middle East is the Iranian-Israeli connection, a facet of international politics unparalleled elsewhere in terms of Persian-Jewish contact and cooperation spanning thousands of years, overall international interdependence, and the abrupt switch from amity to enmity as of 1979. While the international media has cast an ever-stronger spotlight on the Iranian-Israeli relationship in the past five or ten years, it has long deserved closer scrutiny. For two countries to be as intertwined at the political, military, economic and societal levels – like Iran and Israel from the 1950s through to the 1970s – and then to become and remain bitter...

Words: 8408 - Pages: 34

Free Essay

Covert Action Analysis

...25 April 2011 The Intelligence Authorization Act of 1991 defines covert action as "an activity or activities of a government to influence political, economic, or military conditions abroad, where it is intended that the government’s role will not be apparent or acknowledged publicly.” Simply put, covert action allows governments or organized groups to secretly influence and manipulate events abroad allowing them to fulfill their objectives without any parties knowing who sponsored or carried out these activities. This not only conceals the identity of the sponsor but also opens up the option of plausible denial if they were ever suspected. Covert action is a third option when “soft” exercises of national power such as diplomacy, economic sanctions, or informational power are ineffective in influencing conditions abroad on one hand, while the use of overt military force is undesirable or not feasible on the other.1 Covert action is traditionally divided into three categories: propaganda, paramilitary operations, and political action. Propaganda involves disseminating specific message or viewpoints to a target audience. As an example, in the late 1940’s, the U.S. covertly used propaganda to assist anti-communist political parties in Italy and France during close elections. Paramilitary operations involve training, equipping, and supporting paramilitary groups in target countries. A successful example was when the U.S. supported the Afghan guerrilla fighters during the...

Words: 3939 - Pages: 16

Free Essay

As It Goes

...Contents Preface to the First Edition Introduction Part 1. Thought Control: The Case of the Middle East Part 2. Middle East Terrorism and the American Ideological System Part 3. Libya in U.S. Demonology Part 4. The U.S. Role in the Middle East Part 5. International Terrorism: Image and Reality Part 6. The World after September 11 Part 7. U.S./Israel-Palestine Notes Preface to the First Edition (1986) St. Augustine tells the story of a pirate captured by Alexander the Great, who asked him "how he dares molest the sea." "How dare you molest the whole world?" the pirate replied: "Because I do it with a little ship only, I am called a thief; you, doing it with a great navy, are called an Emperor." The pirate's answer was "elegant and excellent," St. Augustine relates. It captures with some accuracy the current relations between the United States and various minor actors on the stage of international terrorism: Libya, factions of the PLO, and others. More generally, St. Augustine's tale illuminates the meaning of the concept of international terrorism in contemporary Western usage, and reaches to the heart of the frenzy over selected incidents of terrorism currently being orchestrated, with supreme cynicism, as a cover for Western violence. The term "terrorism" came into use at the end of the eighteenth century, primarily to refer to violent acts of governments designed to ensure popular submission. That concept plainly is of little benefit to the practitioners of state terrorism...

Words: 93777 - Pages: 376

Premium Essay

1980's Music Analysis

...The crises of the United States in the 1980’s were myriad. The decade began with the nation still mired in the Cold War despite defeat in Vietnam and cooperation in space, and continued with a recession, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and the exposure of the Iran-Contra-cocaine affair. With access to new technologies and without faith in the government, self-expression found a new outlet: synthpop. Making music was easier to make and share than ever before, thanks to synthesizers, the MIDI file format, and MTV. In the current decade, we share similar anxieties. The threat of nuclear annihilation still looms, the war on terror has paved the way for a surveillance state as it murders civilians minimum wage has not increased with the cost of living, a celebrity is president, and technology...

Words: 1681 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Legalization of Illicit Drugs

...addiction, work addiction, television addiction, and love addiction. Although a person may feel that he or she can’t live without their particular addiction, there is no scientific proof or medical test for an addict. To keep things in the broadest perspective, addiction will be defined here as the continual repetition of a normally non-problematic behavior to self-destructive access. This 3 definition leaves room for a broad range of behaviors without physical cause that will allow for a search of the real problem behind the behavior and not the excuse of saying that it is the result of a disease. Since addiction is believed to be a social problem then an attempt at cutting off the source of addiction, drugs in this case, is thought to cure the problem. If that be the case then gambling and food abusers should be treated the same as addicts. Since drug legalization is the topic of this essay let us focus on alternatives to the War on Drugs. One possibility...

Words: 1938 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Ch 13 Nation-States

...Chapter 13 Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Nations, States, and Nation-States A. Logistics Students’ Time Requirements Activity 1: The Rise of Nationalism and the Fall of Yugoslavia Readings 60-90 minutes Fill in the blanks 75-90 minutes Activity 2: Iraqaphobia Readings 60-90 minutes Fill in the blanks 75-90 minutes The fill-in-the-blanks activity works very well as an in-class group project. It helps for students to be able to discuss the questions and readings with other students. If so, it is absolutely essential that students read the assigned articles in advance of the discussion. They will need to consult the readings to find pertinent passages, but if they are reading it for the first time during group work, they will either not finish or not contribute. I remind my students of this fact several times in the days leading up to the project. If students don’t finish during class, they can finish at home. If done in groups in class, you may wish to suggest that a different student act as recorder for each block of questions. Also, assign a different student to be the discussion leader/gatekeeper to keep the discussion on track and prevent any single individual from dominating the discussion. A third student could function as timekeeper. See Chapter 11 and 14 role-playing activities for further discussion of these tasks. Remind students that Balkan and Middle East politics are always changing and can get...

Words: 32987 - Pages: 132

Premium Essay

The Reagan Way

...■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■I —^ The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense or any of its agencies. This document may not be released for open publication until it has been cleared by the appropriate military service or government agency. STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT •» BE THE REAGAN WAY: USING LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR STRATEGIC SUCCESS BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLIAM E. COBURN United States Air Force Reserve DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for Public Release. Distribution is Unlimited. USAWC CLASS OF 2000 U.S. ARMY WAR COLLEGE, CARLISLE BARRACKS, PA 17013-5050 " ■ "■"" "" 20000320 086 USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT THE REAGAN WAY: USING LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR STRATEGIC SUCCESS by Lieutenant Colonel William E. Coburn U. S. Air Force Reserve Dr. Robert Murphy Project Advisor The views expressed in this academic research paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or any of its agencies. U.S. Army War College CARLISLE BARRACKS, PENNSYLVANIA 17013 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited. ABSTRACT AUTHOR: TITLE: FORMAT: DATE: William E. Coburn The Reagan Way: Using Leadership Skills for Strategic Success Strategy Research Project 10 April 2000 PAGES: 22 CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified In spite of many critics who belittled...

Words: 7617 - Pages: 31

Free Essay

Is Aanteken

...International Security Lecture 1 March 30th, 2015 The politics of security knowledge What is international security? We could start thinking about the security council of the UN But also about the invasion of Afghanistan (chapter 7 UN in order to secure the international security) We can also think about security in terms of the invasion of Iraq in 2003. This was a unilateral act of war, but sure it can also mean other things We can think of the national security agency, the agency in charge of spying all the signals and communications to a certain extent. What’s interesting about the NSA, it is seen as a threat to the security of the privacy. Lately, with the reports of the UN development programme, we start talking about HUMAN security (not military security, but rather the security of individuals, having a livelihood that’s acceptable). Whether security is international or not, it can be a rather confusing word The protection of values we hold dear. We search for it, we pursue it, we achieve it, we deny it to others. * what is to be secured? Is it the security of states? Or individuals? * What is the actual threat that we’re facing? Primarily to be dealing with military threats, or are there other types of threats we are facing. Essentially contested concept A concept that ‘inevitably’ involves endless disputes about their proper uses on the part of their users – Walter Gallie There can be ambiguity (one persons freedom-fighter is the other’s...

Words: 16869 - Pages: 68

Free Essay

Successful Implementation of Total Rewards Management Strategies Lead to Successful Businesses

...Possible Term Paper Topics and Instructions You will research, prepare, and write a 10-15 page term paper for this class. You have two choices as to how you can approach this paper: Track A and Track B. Regardless of which “track” you choose, the same general guidelines and expectations apply to all papers. The topics listed below do not define the entire universe of subjects available to you. If you have another idea for a paper topic, check it out with me. Once you select a topic, and I would suggest that this be done promptly, stop by my office to discuss your research endeavor. Track A: Issue-centered paper. Those choosing this track will research and write a paper on a specific issue of constitutional law. The paper will focus on the Court’s treatment of an issue and competing perspectives on it (both on and off the Court), and provide an evaluation and critique of those perspectives. It will culminate in a defense of its own thesis. Possible topics include: • The history, functions, and uses of one of the various “technical barriers” • Scope and limits of the presidential power to pardon • Federalism as a value in the Warren and post-Warren Supreme Court • Federalism as a constitutional concept in the Rehnquist Court • How far did the Rehnquist Revolution in federalism go? • The constitutional status of the War Powers Act (1973) • The concept of Executive Privilege • Are there limits to the...

Words: 3165 - Pages: 13

Free Essay

Islamic Banking : Problem and Prospects

...of problems | | The Islamic banks face a number of challenges. First, they have not yet been successful in devising an interest-free mechanism to place their funds on a short-term basis. They face the same problem in financing consumer loans and government deficits. Second, the risk involved in profit-sharing seems to be so high that most of the banks have resorted to those techniques of financing which bring them a fixed assured return. As a result, there is a lot of genuine criticism that these banks have not abolished interest but have in fact only changed the nomenclature of their transactions Khan (1989). Third, the Islamic banks do not have the legal support of central banks of their respective countries (except in Pakistan and Iran), which exposes them to great risks. Fourth, the Islamic banks do not have the necessary expertise and trained manpower to appraise, monitor, evaluate and audit the projects they are required to finance. As a result, they cannot expand despite having financial liquidity.The future of Islamic banks hinges, by and large, on their ability to find a viable alternative to interest for financing all types of loans. They should recognize that their success in abolishing interest has been only partial and they have yet to go a long way in their search for a satisfactory alternative to interest. Simultaneously, Islamic banks need to improve their managerial capabilities by training their personnel in project appraisal, monitoring, evaluation and performance...

Words: 7083 - Pages: 29

Free Essay

Total Quality Management

...not more than 200 marks from a single group. 2. A candidate shall answer the language papers in the language concerned. The question paper in Islamiat is to be answered in Urdu or English. All other papers must be answered in English. Violation of this instruction shall incur cancellation of the concerned paper(s) and consequently award of Zero. 3. The compulsory and optional subjects and maximum marks fixed for each subject shall be as below: Sr. No. 1 2 3 COMPULSORY SUBJECTS Subjects English (Précis & Composition) English Essay General Knowledge (a) Current Affairs 100 (b) Every Day Science 100 (c) Pakistan Affairs 100 Islamiat Viva Voce Total Maximum Marks 100 100 300 100 300 900 600 120 4 5 Qualifying marks in the aggregate of written papers: Qualifying marks in the Viva Voce: The non-Muslim candidates will have the option to take Islamiat as a compulsory subject or otherwise Pakistan Affairs (General Knowledge PaperIII) will be treated of 200 marks and counted in lieu of Islamiat. A candidate who fails to appear in any of the compulsory subject will not be allowed to appear in the remaining papers of the examination. No candidate shall be summoned for Viva voce test unless he has obtained at least 33 percent marks in each optional subject, 40% in the each compulsory subject and 50% marks in the aggregate of the written portion of the Examination. No candidate shall be considered to have qualified the examination unless...

Words: 10965 - Pages: 44

Premium Essay

White Collar Crimes

...Running head: WHITE COLLAR CRIMES White Collar Crimes: How Does It Affect Businesses? Shari M. Lewis Strayer University (Online) Table of Contents ABSTRACT 3 INTRODUCTION 4 Introduction to the Problem 4 Background of the Study 4 Statement of the Problem 4 Purpose of the Research 5 Research Questions 5 Significance of the Research 5 LITERATURE REVIEW 7 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 19 ABSTRACT This paper investigates White Collar Crime (“WCC) in society and the affects it has on businesses in today’s society, the cost and statistics involved with white collar crime and the difference in how white collar crime and street crimes are dealt with. While white collar crime has existed for many decades, I have conducted research regarding the definition of white collar crime, the history of white collar crime, the different types of white collar crime that affect businesses directly and indirectly, goals of white collar crime, fraud statistics and the cost factors related to white collar crime. White collar crimes and business ethics play hand in hand with one another and often cross the line with one another into criminal behavior. White collar crimes have played a very instrumental part in our downward economy over the past five years, and the level of trust given by society to corporations and employers entrusted with their life earnings has changed dramatically. My research will include factors that contribute...

Words: 6980 - Pages: 28

Free Essay

Bretton Woods: a Later Analysis

...Academic year: 2013-2014 Degree on Management International Negotiation “The Bretton Woods Agreement [1944]” Luís Leite Teacher in Charge: Carmen Amado Mendes Index: “The Bretton Woods Agreement [1944]”........................................... 0 Luís Leite ............................................................................................ 0 1. Introduction ................................................................................ 2 2. Pre-Negotiation ........................................................................... 4 3. Negotiation before the final conference ................................... 11 4. Negotiation: The Bretton Woods Conference ........................... 15 5. Conclusion: Later changes and full analysis ............................. 19 6. Primary Sources and Bibliography ............................................ 22 7. Annexes: .................................................................................... 26 FEUC – Negociação Internacional – 2013-14 1 1. Introduction The United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference that occurred from the 1st of July to the 22nd in 1944 better known as the Bretton Woods conference gave origin to a ground-breaking system. It was the first time a fully negotiated monetary order came to existence which a new paradigm perspective on how to face economical international relations. This essay will help you understand why the Bretton Woods system happened, its historical context...

Words: 7789 - Pages: 32

Premium Essay

Term Paper

...3 COUNTERTERRORISM EVOLVES In chapte r 2, we described the growth of a new kind of terrorism, and a new terrorist organization—especially from 1988 to 1998, when Usama Bin Ladin declared war and organized the bombing of two U.S. embassies. In this chapter, we trace the parallel evolution of government efforts to counter terrorism by Islamic extremists against the United States. We mention many personalities in this report. As in any study of the U.S. government, some of the most important characters are institutions. We will introduce various agencies, and how they adapted to a new kind of terrorism. 3.1 FROM THE OLD TERRORISM TO THE NEW: THE FIRST WORLD TRADE CENTER BOMBING At 18 minutes after noon on February 26, 1993, a huge bomb went off beneath the two towers of the World Trade Center.This was not a suicide attack.The terrorists parked a truck bomb with a timing device on Level B-2 of the underground garage, then departed.The ensuing explosion opened a hole seven stories up. Six people died. More than a thousand were injured. An FBI agent at the scene described the relatively low number of fatalities as a miracle.1 President Bill Clinton ordered his National Security Council to coordinate the response. Government agencies swung into action to find the culprits.The Counterterrorist Center located at the CIA combed its files and queried sources around the world. The National Security Agency (NSA), the huge Defense Department signals collection agency, ramped up its communications...

Words: 17150 - Pages: 69