United States foreign policy and ethnic conflict: Three case studies (Angola, Kurdistan, Northern Ireland)

This extended essay examines the historical involvement of American foreign policy vis-a-vis the phenomenon of ethnic conflict. The background is set by discussion of the nature of ethnic affiliation in its individual and collective manifestations, the development of ethnically-based nationalism, and the elements which have tended to impede the making of coherent United States foreign policy regarding world-wide ethnic conflict. Following this general analysis, three case studies are used to further a specific understanding of this dynamic interaction. These three case studies are Angola, Kurdistan and Northern Ireland. Despite obvious parallels, each case is unique and was selected to highlight different aspects of the topic at hand. Taken together they form a composite view of the complex historical interaction between the United States and ethnic conflict. The conclusion consists of a brief prescription for future American involvement in such disputes.