Eisenhower's use of the United Nations in the conduct of United States foreign policy in the Middle East, 1953--1956: The unified plan and the Suez crisis

This dissertation analyzes President Dwight D. Eisenhower's use of the United Nations in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East from 1953 to 1956. It examines two episodes from his first term (the 1953 Johnston Plan and the 1956 Suez Crisis) to assess the types of issues he brought to the UN and how his views on the organization shaped the role he allowed it to play in U.S. foreign policy initiatives.; Using the realist and neo-liberal perspectives of international relations theory to frame the analysis, this dissertation argues that Eisenhower came to the White House committed to involving deeply the United States in international affairs. Such engagement would take many forms, including assuming a dominant role at the United Nations. While Eisenhower at times displayed a neo-liberal's appreciation for the value of international organizations, however, he more frequently demonstrated a realist's approach to issues of international cooperation and utilization of the UN. In addition, although publicly supportive of the UN, Eisenhower more often worked outside the UN system in order to advance U.S. interests in the Middle East.; Eisenhower was reluctant to rely too heavily on the UN for a variety of reasons, including: concern that the Soviet Union would take advantage of UN initiatives to expand its (the Soviet Union's) influence in the Middle East; the tendency of both the United States and the USSR to play out within the Security Council their Cold War rivalries; and the cumbersome, often inconclusive nature of deliberations in the General Assembly. Instead, he more frequently relied on such measures as bilateral diplomacy, cooperative efforts with like-minded states, and unilateral initiatives. The Johnston Plan and the Suez Crisis demonstrate Eisenhower's propensity to by-pass the organization when possible in order to secure U.S. strategic interests. The episodes also chart the growth of U.S. influence in the Middle East and the beginnings of U.S. dominance over regional affairs.; This dissertation drew primarily upon the holdings of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, KS, and the Foreign Relations of the United States series.