American Policy Towards The Horn Of Africa During The Carter Administration

In unpredictable situation of the Cold War,America and Soviet both making contribution to peaceful co-existence had achieved rare ‘détente' in 1970 s.Nevertheless,the U.S.and Soviet had been involved an Ethiopia-Somali border dispute on account of the Ogaden district with the color of Cold War.They had become lost in chasing competition of the Third World after that,and abandoned‘détente'.In December 1979,the Soviet militaryinvading Afghanistan had brought itself and U.S.back to the Cold War official way completely.This paper describes war and tells historical truth as far as possible.Otherwise,this paper underlines inconclusive American policy which mainly because of the Vance-Brzezinski Struggle during the period of crisis.Carter's indetermination led to American public's lack of confidence,losing power and influence in the Horn of Africa in short-term and coming to an end of America-Soviet friendship.The main part of this paper will discuss American policy towards the Horn of Africa during the Carter Administration throughfollowing three parts.The first part illuminates the setting of American policy towards the Horn of Africa during Carter Administration by explaining the background of America-Soviet Détente and previous history of U.S.and Soviet policy respectively.The second part focuses on the Ogaden War.This part states the turbulent situation of the Horn of Africa taking Ethiopia and Somali for example,meanwhile,analyses altering American policy and finaloutcome of Soviet-Cuban involvement.The third part mainly discloses the influence of Vance and Brzezinski's split for American policy-making this period,Soviet ambition and collapse of America-Sovietrelationship.I draw a conclusion is American ‘inaction' indeed provides space for Soviet expansion in the Third World and brings failure of America-Soviet Détente in early1980 s,althoughI'm uncertain the reason of American mistaken policy towards the Horn of Africa is inner difference in Carter Administration one hundred percent.